Tuesday, March 31, 2009Take180.com Launches Web SeriesBurbank-based Take180.com announced Tuesday that the firm has officially launched a web site which looks to create original web series based on audience participation. The site--which is owned by The Walt Disney Company--said it has created three web series called "My Date," "I
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Insights and Opinions: How To Survive A LayoffFor our Insights & Opinions section today, Cathy Ashbaugh, President of Pacific Shore Resources, a local recruiting firm, gives some well timed advice on how to handle a layoff:
As we enter into the second quarter of 2009 we are beginning to see small signs of hope and improvement in the economy. The stock market is showing progress these past few weeks, local start-ups are beginning to see an increase in VC funding and SoCal technology firms are hiring. Yet, we are not out of the woods. Acco (More info...)
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Vitesse Cuts 12 Percent Of EmployeesCamarillo-based Vitesse Semiconductor, a manufacturer of high speed networking and other semiconductors, said Tuesday afternoon that it has cut approximately 12 percent of its worldwide workforce. According to the firm, the moves were made to "further reduce" the firm's operating expenses. The firm said it hopes the cuts will allow it to remain cash neutral or better for the fiscal year. Exact number of employees affected by the move was not disclosed. Vitesse is a maker of semiconductors for th (More info...)
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Interlink Drops Financial ReportsCamarillo-based Interlink Electronics, a developer of e-signature capture products, announced Tuesday that the firm has voluntarily suspended filing reports with the SEC. According to Interlink, it will no longer file 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and other filings, and intends to deregister all of its securities. The firm said the move came due to the cost of maintaining the firm's reporting status through the SEC. The firm is now listed on the Pink Sheets. The firm had previously been listed on the OTC, an (More info...)
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GoTV Networks Launches New Mobile Social Networking AppLos Angeles-based GoTV Networks has launched a new mobile, social networking application focused on sharing pictures, videos, and text with their friends and family. The firm launched its new product--LiveFromYou--Tuesday, saying that the new service will automatically organize pictures, videos, and media, and share that media with widgets loaded on Facebook or MySpace. The firm said that the application is available on Apple's iPhone, and will launch in May on Google Android. GoTV Networks expl (More info...)
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MySpace, Citysearch To Launch Local SiteLos Angeles-based MySpace and West Hollywood-based CitySearch announced this morning that the two have launched a beta of a new local search site, MySpace Local, which will allow users to review, rate, and share information about small businesses. According to the firms, Coors and Outback Steakhouse are the brand sponsors for the new site, which leverages Citysearch's database of businesses and MySpace's social networking site. Financial details behind the deal were not disclosed. The firms said (More info...)
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SiliconSystems Signs VersaLogicAliso Viejo-based SiliconSystems, a manufacturer of flash-based disk drives, announced Tuesday that the firm's products have been selected by a manufacturer of single-board computers. SiliconSystems said that VersaLogic Corp. has slected the firm's SiliconDrive Blade for a new, single board computer targeted at the military, aerospace, and medical equipment manufacturing market. Financial impact of the win was not disclosed. SiliconSystems' SiliconDrive is a removeable, solid-state disk drive. S (More info...)
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Mushroom Networks Partners With ISPSan Diego-based Mushroom Networks, which develops technology for accelerating broadband connections, said Tuesday that it has partnered with a Midwest Internet Service Provider, Semo.net. According to Mushroom Networks, Semo.net will rebrand its Broadband Bonding product for its own service offering. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Mushroom Networks develops technology which can combine multiple broadband connections--including DSL, cable, wireless, and other connections--into a (More info...)
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eHarmony Launches Gay and Lesbian Web SitePasadena-based eHarmony has launched a gay and lesbian web site, Compatible Partners, which the firm says will help gay and lesbian singles to find long-term relationships. The site--which came about as a result of a legal settlement with the state of New Jersey--said it will use questionnaires to match users values, attitudes, personality traits, and interests. eHarmony said that pricing for Compatible Partners will be the same as eHarmony.com. eHarmony said it would launch a same-sex web site (More info...)
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ViaSat Gets $18M ContractCarlsbad-based ViaSat, a developer of satellite and other communications products, disclosed today that the firm has received an $18M contract from Skylogic. Skylogic is the broadband subsidiary of Eutelsat Communications. According to ViaSat, the contract covers installation of its equipment in eight broadband earth stations throughout Europe, to connect subscribers of Eutelsat's satellite broadband service to the Internet.
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Lunch.com Targets Online CommunitiesEl Segundo-based Lunch.com, a new online reviews and social networking web site, said that it has launched a beta of its site this morning. The site said it will allow users to share opinions, ratings, and reviews, and match up the site's members based on shared interests. The new site was founded by J.R. Johnson, who had previously founded VirtualTourist.com and OneTime.com, both of which were sold to Expedia. According to the firm, the site is self-funded by Johnson.
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Ceradyne Gains $77M OrderCosta Mesa-based Ceradyne reported today that it has received a $77M order for its ceramic body armor plates. The firm said the order will begin shipping in the second quarter of 2009, and is part of a overall, $2.37 billion, five year contract. The firm develops ceramic armor used by the U.S. Army. The company also manufactures products for the automotive, chemical, electronics, oil and gas, and other industries.
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Quidel Cuts 10 PercentSan Diego-based Quidel, a developer of diagnostic tests for the healthcare industry, said Tuesday that it has cut approximately 10 percent of its work force, or 31 employees, in a corporate restructuring. According to Quidel, it made the cuts in order to "gain operational efficiences and reduce costs." Quidel disclosed that the cuts included two senior-level positions, an elimination of its annual cash incentives, and efforts to reduce discretionary spending for the remainder of the year. The fi (More info...)
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Scottel Voice and Data AcquiredCulver City-based Scottel Voice & Data, a provider of voice and data installation services, has been acquired by Pittsburgh-based Black Box Corporation. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to Black Box, Scottel Voice & Data has annual historical revenues of approximately $40M, and serves customers in the commercial, educations, and government areas. Black Box is a technical services company which builds out data and voice infrastructure systems for its clients.
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