Tuesday, May 22, 2012Xfire Partners With Southeast Asian Gaming SiteLos Angeles-based Xfire is continuing its expansion into Southeast Asia with a new partnership, the firm said today, with Southeast Asian games publisher SEA Gaming. According to the two, SEA Gaming will integrate Xfire's online gaming utility into its massively multiplayer online games offerings. Financial details of the deal were not announced. Xfire develops chat and communications tools which allow videogame players to talk with their friends, take screenshots and capture videos, and more. T (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Mixin Brings Pop Up Video Comments To The InternetAre you a fan of VH1's "Pop Up Videos"--the music video series which is known for popping up fun facts and information in the midst of a video? Well, a Santa Monica-based service, Mixin, is looking to bring that same pop-up bubble concept to online videos and video sites. Mixin said today that it has launched its service, which allows users to add their own personal comments to online videos. The result is essentially, web-video-meets-pop-up-video, with user's comments popping up into a video in (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
SpaceX Launch Puts Star Trek's Scotty Into SpaceThe successful launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket this morning, and the Dragon capsule, is set to make history with a docking of the International Space Station. It's also finally delivered the ashes of actor James Doohan, who played Scotty in the 1960's television series and subsequent "Star Trek" movies. Apparently, Doohan's ashes were delivered to space as part of a payload agreement with SpaceX and Celestis, which sells delivery of the deceased into space. Doohan apparently is orbiting the (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Io/LA Plans $500K In InvestmentsOne of the newest accelerator and incubators to open in the Los Angeles area, io/LA, is planning to invest $500,000 in local startups as part of its efforts to incubate 25 companies in its new space in Hollywood. The accelerator, which was founded by producer and actor Donovan Leitch, MySpace co-founder Aber Whitcomb, and actor Chris Gartin, detailed the plans in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Io/LA launched its accelerator last month, saying it will invest $25,000 and offer up office (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Vizio Sued By MITIrvine-based HDTV maker Vizio has been sued in federal court by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, claiming that the electronics maker violated patents owned by MIT. According to the lawsuit, Massachusetts Institute of Technology v. Vizio Inc., which was filed Friday in the Massachusetts District Court, MIT claims that Vizio refused to pay licensing fees for patents related to high definition television owned by MIT. Vizio has not provided any comment on the lawsuit. MIT's suit said that (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
ParkMe Helps To Power LA ExpressParkThe City of Los Angeles is rolling out a new system which will help motorists find parking in real time, and will also change the price of parking meters depending on demand, and has tapped Los Angeles-based ParkMe for its database of parking garages and lots, ParkMe said today. Details of the deal were not disclosed. ParkMe said its data is being used to help drivers locate the closest meters, and also find parking and compare prices for off-street facilities in downtown. The Los Angeles Depart (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Sonos Launches SubwooferSanta Barbara-based music system manufacturer Sonos said today that it has launched a new, subwoofer product to complement its whole house music systems. Sonos said its new Sonos Sub will ship on June 19th, although the firm is now taking pre-orders on its website. The new Sonos Sub retails for $699. Sonos is known for its user-friendly music systems, which allow users to control music in multiple rooms from either wireless controllers, or their smart phone. The firm's systems also connect direc (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Insights and Opinions: Targeting ChinaFor our Insights and Opinions section this morning, we share the wisdom of Stanley Holt, President and COO of OnGreen, a marketplace for clean technology investment opportunities. Stan, who is now splitting his time between Shenzhen, China and Pasadena, California, talks about what he's learned doing business in China.
China's the new frontier for U.S. companies. There's nothing like a
sprawling, goldmine market with a Wild West feel to get Yankee adrenalin
pumping.
Our company, (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
SpaceX Sees Successful LaunchHawthorne-based SpaceX had a successful launch this morning at 3:44 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral, lifting off on its historic mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, along with its Dragon cargo capsule, reached orbit early this morning, after a series of delays. The company had aborted its prior launch on Saturday after an issue with the rocket. The SpaceX Dragon is carring 1200 pounds of supplies for the crew of the station, plus a number of student experiments. Th (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Audiolife Acquired By Alliance EntertainmentVan Nuys-based Audiolife, the startup which provided product fulfillment for the music industry and artists, has been acquired by Florida firm Alliance Entertainment. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. According to Alliance Entertainment, Audiolife's founders will remain in Los Angeles, but the company will be moving its fulfillment operations to Shepherdsville, Kentucky. Audiolife was founded by Brandon Hance, and provides fulfillment of CDs, t-shirts, and other merchandise (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Citrix Debuts New Large Scale Web Event ServiceSanta Barbara-based Citrix said this morning that it has launched a new, multimedia webcasting service aimed at large scale web events. Citrix said its new GoToWebinar Premier Event offering can handle up to 20,000 attnedees. The company said it is looking to target the movie, music, and entertainment market, schools and universities, community town halls, and more with the new product. Citrix already provided similar webcasting services, albeit on a much smaller scale. The firm's GoToWebinar pr (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Active Network Launches Enterprise Event Management SoftwareSan Diego-based Active Network, the provider of sports and activity registration services and software, said today that it has launched a suite of software aimed at enterprise event management. The firm said its new suite of business products are aimed at managing professional meetings and events. Pricing on the new software was not announced. Active Network said its mobile software is aimed at everything from annual conferences to trade shows. The suite of software includes attendee management, (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)
Esri Wins JusticeRedlands-based Esri, the developer of geographical information systems (GIS) software, reported Monday that it has signed Ascena Retail Group, the retailer behind tween and women's brands Justice, Dressbarn, and Maurices Stores. According to Esri, Ascena is using its software and GIS tools to map its business processes, and to understand key demographics and store profiles for each of its locations. Financial details of the win were not disclosed. Esri's software is used to understand geographic (More info...)
posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012(Full story)