Monday, March 14, 2011Spammers Running Japan Tsunami Scams, Says NortonBeware emails seeking donations for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disaster, Internet security firm Norton reported Monday. According to Norton, it has detected more than 50 fradulent domains looking to scam people out of people looking to help victims of the 8.9 earthquake. Norton reported that spammers have already started to try to take advantage of the outpouring of support for the victims in Japan, pleading for donations. In addition, Norton said that "419" scammers--those e (More info...)
posted on Monday, March 14, 2011(Full story)
SpaceX Announces Second Satellite Launch DealIn the second satellite launch deal announced today, Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and ORBCOMM said that SpaceX will carry two new satellites to orbit this year. Financial details of the launch agreement were not disclosed. The two said that SpaceX will launch two, ORBCOMM satellites into geosynchronous orbit, used for data communications. ORBCOMM provides machine-to-machine communications capability to customers such as Caterpillar, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hyun (More info...)
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Entropic Names Chinese GMSan Diego-based Entropic Communications, the developer of home networking and entertainment semiconductors, said Monday that it has named a Vice President and General Manager of its China operations. Entropic said it has named Tom Luan to the new position, overseeing development and business strategies for its product lines in the country. Luan was most recently at Zoran China, and also has served at Infineon, I-Cube, NEC Electronics, and National Semiconductor. Entropic said Luan will be based (More info...)
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GotCast To Donate Revenues To Red Cross Relief EffortLos Angeles-based GotCast.com, the online casting startup headed by Alec Shankman, said that it will donate all of its membership fees tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15th, to the Red Cross. According to the firm, it will donate 100 percent of its revenues tomorrow to the Red Cross Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund. GotCast offers up an online site which helps Hollywood casting agents and producers to find talent; the firm also has been powering interactive casting events for a number of brands. GotCa (More info...)
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Kingston Technology Hits $6.5 Billion In RevenuesFountain Valley-based Kingston Technology, the provider of computer memory products, reported today that it has hit a record, $6.5 billion in revenues in 2010. The firm said the amount is the highest ever in company history, and was a $2.4 billion increase in its sales over 2009. The firm said the boost came from increased shipment volumes and a rise in average selling prices for its memory. The company is privately held, and was founded by John Tu and David Sun. Kingston said demand from both c (More info...)
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SpaceX Gets Another Satellite Launch DealHawthorne-based SpaceX, the commercial rocket firm headed by Elon Musk, has scored another satellite launch agreement, the firm said today. Space Exploration Technologies said it has inked a launch agreement with SES, to launch a SES satellite using its Falcon 9 rocket. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. SpaceX said that SES is one of the largest satellite operators in the world. The new satellite is expected to be launched into geostationary orbit using the Falcon 9. SpaceX said (More info...)
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Interview with Scot Richardson, LaughstubFor this morning's interview, we spoke with Scot Richardson, CEO of Los Angeles-based LaughStub (www.laughstub.com), which develops software which helps comedy clubs and others manage ticket sales, online marketing, and customer relationship management. LaughStub is backed by a number of notable angels in the Los Angeles area, including Mark Suster and Paige Craig.
What is Laughstub?
Scot Richardson: In a nutshell, we're a WordPress for venues. We started in the comedy industry, hence the (More info...)
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Fallbrook In Chinese Joint VentureSan Diego-based Fallbrook Technologies, the developer of electric vehicle and other transmission technology, announced today that it has inked a joint venture agreement with Chinese firm Ningbo Shentong Group. Fallbrook said the two are in an agreement to develop and market its continuously variable planetary (CVP) transmissions to the electric powered passenger car and light truck market in China and abroad. Financial details of the joint venture were not disclosed. Fallbrook said the new ventu (More info...)
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Total Immersion Shows iPad 2 AppLos Angeles-based Total Immersion, the developer of augmented reality software, said today that it has launched a new application for the iPad 2, Apple's new tablet computer. Total Immersion said its first app, AR Magic Mirror, allows users to try on virtual hairstyles, glasses, and accessories. The app uses facial recognition to identify users, and to apply virtual 3D enhancements. The firm said the new app will be free on iTunes, although the app is not yet listed. Total Immersion said the new (More info...)
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Broadcom Joins Energy Conservation EffortIrvine-based semiconductor maker Broadcom Corporation this morning said it has joined the Climate Savers Computing Initiative (CSCI), a nonprofit consortium looking to reduce energy consumption of networking and computing equipment. According to Broadcom, the group is looking to reduce energy and reduce the amount of CO2 used to power IT equipment. The consortium is led by Cisco, Dell, Emerson Network Power, F5, Google Inc. Intel, Juniper Networks, Microsoft, and the World Wildlife Fund. Broadco (More info...)
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SG Biofuels Claims AdvanceSan Diego-based SG Biofuels, the firm using biotechnology and other techniques to develop hybrid seeds of Jatropha for the biofuels industry, claimed today that it has reached a "significant milestone" in its efforts. The firm, which is backed by Life Technologies and others, said it is applying more than 1.6 million genetic markers (SNPs) to produce elite, high performance cultivars of Jatropha. Jatropha is an oil rich plant from Central America, which is being targeted as a good source of biof (More info...)
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Edmunds.com Provides New Car DataSanta Monica-based Edmunds.com, which provides online information about automobiles, said last week that it has launched a new tool to provide new car data for the automotive industry. Edmunds.com said it has added new monthly car sales and market share data by make and model; monthly fuel cost for new vehicles; incentive costs by make and manufacturer; vehicle recalls and complaints; as well as interest in vehicles by make and category, based on browsing on its website. The firm said the data w (More info...)
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Kofax Wins Automotive SupplierIrvine-based Kofax, the developer of document and business process automation software, said this morning that it has signed an un-named, global automotive supplier. According to Kofax, the contract is worth more than $900,000. Kofax is supplying an invoice processing solution for the un-named customer.
posted on Monday, March 14, 2011(Full story)