Wednesday, October 6, 2010Eucalyptus Joins In Cloud Computing AllianceSanta Barbara-based cloud computing software provider Eucalyptus Systems is one of three firms which says they have created a new group focused on bringing self-service, private and hybrid clouds to the enterprise. According to newScale, rPath, and Eucalyptus, the three have created a new coalition called the "NRE" alliance, which will promote the firms' integrated technology platform for the cloud computing market. The three vendors said that they will offer up a video, an online webinar, white (More info...)
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Language Weaver's Tapling Takes Charge At SDLSDL plc, the UK-based firm which acquired Los Angeles-based Language Weaver in July, said today that it has combined its SDL Language Technologies and SDL Language Weaver businesses, and installed Language Weaver CEO Mark Tapling as CEO of the new, combined SDL Language Technologies division. Tapling takes over from former CEO Alan Sloan, who SDL said is leaving to pursue other opportunities. SDL bought Language Weaver in July for $42.5M. In addition to his role at Language Weaver, Tapling has h (More info...)
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Mattel Unleashes Twitter Device For DogsNot happy with just keeping up with the thousands of updates from your fellow Twitter users? If not, El Segundo-based toy maker Mattel has launched a new toy this week which connects the Twitter micro-messaging service to your own pet dog. Mattel said it has launched a new gadget called Puppy Tweets, which allows users to follow their dog's activities via Twitter. Mattel said the new device, which uses motion and sound sensors, automatically updates people on what their dog is doing via Twitter. (More info...)
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Rustic Canyon Adds AssociateSanta Monica-based venture capital firm Rustic Canyon Partners is announcing later today that it has added Ed Fu as an Associate at the firm. According to Rustic Canyon, Fu will support the firm's investments in Internet and Clean Technology. Fu has previously served as an Associate at Technology Crossover Ventures, and also served in investment banking at Jeffries & Company, in addition to time spent at a number of web-based startups.
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Boingo Wireless Expands In CanadaLos Angeles-based Boingo Wireless, the provider of Wi-Fi roaming and hotspot services, said today that it has inked a deal to expand its network in Canada. The firm said it has inked a deal with MTS, a Canadian national communications provider, to add over 150 MTS hotspot locations to its network. The hotspots cover Winnipeg, Brandon, and other communities in Manitoba. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Boingo offers up both unlimited and pay-per-use wireless Internet services through a globa (More info...)
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SolarReserve Gets CPUC Approval On ProjectSanta Monica-based SolarReserve, the well-backed developer of solar thermal power plant technology, reported today that Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for the 25-year power purchase agreement announced last December by the firms. The firm said the approval allows the firm to continue to move forward on its Rice Solar Energy Project, a 150-megawatt solar energy project under construction in eastern Riverside County. So (More info...)
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Newest Free Wi-Fi Hangout: FedEx OfficeFedEx Office, the chain of copy, print, and shipping stores which was previously FedEx Kinko's, said today that it has begun offering free, unlimited Wi-Fi at most of its U.S. locations. According to FedEx Office, AT&T will be providing free wireless access in 1,000 of its FedEx Office Print & Ship Center locations in the U.S., with rollout to all of the firm's U.S. locations to be completed by the end of the month. FedEx Office had previously charged users for computer rental and Internet acces (More info...)
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MySpace's New iPhone App: DrawlerLos Angeles-based MySpace has launched a new iPhone app, the site has announced. According to MySpace, its new 'Drawler' application allows iPhone users to draw, color, add stickers, art, and other decorations to mobile phone photos. MySpace said the free application also allows users to share those creations with friends on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. MySpace said that it has already seen more than 150,000 downloads of the app since it was released on the Apple App Store.
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Kingston Rolls Out SSD Destruction ContestFountain Valley-based Kingston Digital, the maker of memory and flash-based solid state (SSD) storage, is looking to point out the durability of its solid state drives with a new contest, the firm said today. According to Kingston, it will award $3,000 for the best idea on how to destroy one of its solid-state drives, as a follow up to an earlier set of videos it released last January showing people trying to destroy--unsuccessfully--its SSDs. Kingston said that it will award 16 prizes to people (More info...)
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Soliant Gets Install Win In ChatsworthMonrovia-based Soliant, the developer of concentrating photovoltaic solar panels, reported an install in Chatsworth today, saying it has installed its systems on the roof of MBK Tape Solutions, a firm which fabricates adhesive tape and flexible materials. Soliant said the system generates 10kW of grid-connected electricity. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Soliant has just recently been rolling out its systems, targeting the commercial rooftop market, where companies need to incr (More info...)
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Cogent Sees Smooth Sailing For AcquisitionPasadena-based Cogent, the developer of fingerprint and other biometrics devices, reported this morning that a Delaware court has denied a shareholder motion to block the acquisition of the firm by 3M. According to Cogent, the denial of the shareholder motion came because the plaintiffs had not shown a reasonable probability of success on the merits of any of their claims. Cogent said its board continues to "strongly endorse" the proposed acquisition of the company. 3M said August 30th that it w (More info...)
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SG Biofuels Details Hybrid Seed PlansSan Diego-based SG Biofuels, a developer of Jatropha-based seeds aimed at the biofuels industry, detailed its plans for the market today, saying that it is developing proprietary technology for large-scale, Jatropha hybrid seed production. Jatropha is a Central American shrub which has been identified as a good candiate for biofuels production, due to its high oil content. SG Biofuels said its hybrid seed technology results in greater yield, uniformity, and vigor in Jatropha plants used for biof (More info...)
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Qualcomm Confirms FLO TV Shutdown Plans, LayoffsSan Diego-based Qualcomm confirmed Tuesday evening that it is considering shutting down its FLO TV, mobile television service, after reports that the firm is planning to shut off the service. In a statement, Qualcomm said it has been "examining strategic opportunities" for the FLO TV service, and claimed that it is seeing "strong interest" in using the FLO TV network or spectrum, particularly for mobile data and addressing an imbalance between supply and demand of bandwidth, due to tablet PCs, a (More info...)
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Xirrus Signs Another Australian CollegeThousand Oaks-based Xirrus has scored another customer win in Australia, according to the firm this week. According to Xirrus, it has deployed its 802.11n Wi-Fi arrays at Emmanuel College, in Carrara, Gold Coast, Australia. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Xirrus said the win came as the college has begun to deploy a 1-to-1 laptop program at the school, which will give all of the college's students a laptop. The move requires a high density, Wi-Fi product. Xirrus develops arrays (More info...)
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