Wednesday, May 26, 2010Zeebo Lands $8M MoreSan Diego-based Zeebo, a developer of a wireless gaming console, has raised another $8M in funding, according to a regulatory filing by the firm. No details on the funding have been announced by the company. Zeebo has previously scored funding from Qualcomm and Tectoy S.A., and was founded by former Qualcomm employee Mike Yuen and gamer and entrepreneur Reinaldo Normand.
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Google's Spooky New Location History ViewSearch engine giant Google said Wednesday that it has rolled out a new feature which allows users to view their "whole life's travels" based on users' cell phone, Wi-Fi usage and GPS data, and analyzes patterns from that data. Google said that the new Google Location History taps information from Google Latitude, the firm's service which lets users see their friends on a map. The company explained that its new dashboard view of location history will highlight information for users, such as trips (More info...)
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YouMail Revs BlackBerry ApppIrvine-based YouMail, startup headed by Alex Quilici which offers personalized voicemail services, said Wednesday that it has launched a new version of the firm's BlackBerry app. YouMail said that the updated Version 2.0 of its product adds a streamline user interface, enhanced organization tools, better transcription viewing, and integration with Blackberry's default SMS client. YouMail initially launched its BlackBerry app in February of last year. The application is free. YouMail also offers (More info...)
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Novatel Links With XComSan Diego-based Novatel Wireless is extending out its partners for its MiFi mobile hotspot device, saying this week that it has inked a deal with XCom Global, a provider of low-cost, wireless data rental services for international travelers. Novatel did not disclose financial details of the deal, but did say that XCom will distribute its MiFi 2372 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot to its customers. Novatel's MiFi allows users to create their own, miniature wireless hotspots using cell phone connectivit (More info...)
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Geni Extends Distribution Of Family Tree PostersWest Hollywood-based Geni.com, the online family tree and genealogy site, told its users Tuesday evening that it is now distributing its recently released family tree posters internationally. The poster service--which takes data from Geni.com's service and turn it into printed, 16x20 posters--was originally announced on May 10th. Geni is venture backed by Charles River Ventures and the Founders Fund, and was started by ex-PayPal founder David Sacks.
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Insights and Opinions: Stock Plans: Give the People What They WantFor today's Insights and Opinions piece, we have an article from Lee Weinberg, an attorney, entrepreneur, and angel investor here in Los Angeles, who takes a contrary view on how stock options are granted in the technology world.
I have some strong opinions regarding the ubiquitous Stock Plans/Option Pools of start-up, tech and VC-land. Flame on!
The official goal of a broadly-based stock plan is to motivate the recipients of the stock (or stock options or equivalent) to work harder, sti (More info...)
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Open Angel Forum Eyes BostonThe Open Angel Forum, the new angel investment group started by Mahalo's Jason Calacanis, has set its eyes on Boston for a new chapter of the group. According to the OAF, it has set up an event in Boston for June 18th, where it will look to bring together 5 startups with angels and service providers. Calacanis, started the group in Los Angeles, and so far has also extended the concept into Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Boulder, and New York, in response to the large number of pay-to-pitch group (More info...)
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ClariPhy Nabs $24MIrvine-based ClariPhy Communications, a developer of mixed signal, digital signal processing semiconductors for the optical market, announced this morning that it has raised $24M in a Series C funding round. The round included new strategic investor Oclaro, multiple un-named telecom OEMs, as well as existing investors Norwest Venture Partners, Allegis Capital, ONSET Ventures, and Pacific General Partners. ClariPhy said the new funding will go towards delivering a new class of sigle-chip ICs focu (More info...)
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THQ Launches New Distribution EffortAgoura Hills-based videogame publisher THQ said today that it has launched a new unit called THQ Partners, which it says will provide "select" developers and publishers with access to its global retail and online publishing network. THQ said that it has appointed Tim Walsh to head up the new unit. THQ did not provide lots of detail in its announcement, but said that THQ Partners will "maximixe the efficiencies" of its global distribution network by adding quality games from other developers and (More info...)
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Warner Bros. Names Games ExecBurbank-based Warner Bros. Home Entertainment said yesterday that it has named Jeff Junge as Senior Vice President, Online Games and Digital Games Platforms for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Bros. interactive Entertainment, the studio's digital games business. Warner said that Junge was most recently in charge of the studio's acquisition of Turbine. Junge was most recently Senior Vice President Business Management for Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, where he oversaw the acq (More info...)
posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010(Full story)