Thursday, September 5, 2013Virgin Galactic Launches Second, Rocket-Powered Test FlightIn another step towards commercial spaceflight, Mojave-based Virgin Galactic announced Thursday afternoon that it has successfully completed its second, rocket-powered supersonic flight of its SpaceShipTwo reusable space vehicle. Virgin Galactic said that the flight took off at 8 a.m. Thursday morning from Mojave, with the SpaceShipTwo achieving a maximum speed of Mach 1.43, and traveling up to 69,000 feet. Virgin Galactic has been targeting launching its commercial service by 2014. The company (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
SGN Plans Hiring BingeLos Angeles-based SGN (Social Gaming Network), the mobile games startup headed by Chris DeWolfe, the co-founder of MySpace, said Thursday that it is launching an "aggressive" hiring program. According to the developer, it has more than 30 new positions it plans to fill over the next six months. SGN said the positions include openings in design, production, product management, and engineering . SGN has been very aggressive in recruiting talent, and recently acquired San Diego game developer Mob S (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
Local Corporation In Data Deal With Microsoft's Bing Search EngineIrvine-based Local Corporation, which operates a number of local directory and related Internet sites, said this morning that it has signed a agreement with Microsoft to provide location-based, local product data for the Bing search engine. Financial details of the partnership were not disclosed. Local said its Krillion shopping data will help power Bing's local product search results. Local bought Krillion back in 2011.
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
eHow Launches Crafts ChannelSanta Monica-based Demand Media has launched a brand new, craft-focused channel on its how-to site, eHow, featuring resources and information on all kinds of arts and crafts. According to Demand Media, the new Crafts Channel on eHow will feature step-by-step text articles, videos, illustrations and photography, and much more around various crafts. eHow has been in the midst of a big expansion into the crafts area, having also acquired online arts and crafts learning service Creativebug earlier t (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
M-GO's Take On The Digital Entertainment Streaming Market, with John BatterDoes the world need another, online streaming media service for movies and television? Culver City-based M-GO (www.mgo.com) thinks so, with its own twist on providing content to consumers. We caught up with M-GO's CEO, John Batter, to hear about where M-GO fits into the streaming media market.
What's the story behind M-GO?
John Batter: M-GO was formed about two years ago as a joint venture between DreamWorks and Technicolor. I personally come from DreamWorks, and was President of Productio (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
Gradient X Acquired By AmobeeLos Angeles-based mobile advertising technology firm Gradient X, which is led by Brian Baumgart, has been acquired by digital advertising firm Amobee, Amobee announed this morning. Financial terms of the acquisition were not announced. According to Amobee, the acquisition adds new, real-time bidding functionality and support for video and HTML5 to its platform. Amobee said the founders and engineering team at Gradient X are joining the company, calling them "technology rock stars." Gradient X wa (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
Proximal Data In Deal With LSISan Diego-based server side caching software developer Proximal Data has inked a deal with LSI Corporation, where LSI will integrate its server-side caching technology with a PCIe flash application acceleration product. LSI's product is used to accelerate the performance of VMware applications, via flash storage caching. Financial details of the deal were not announced. Proximal Data is venture backed by Divergent Ventures and Avalon Ventures.
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
Brand Affinity Technologies Ties With USC TrojansIrvine-based Brand Affinity Technologies, headed by Chad and Ryan Steelberg, said today that it has partnered with the University of Southern California to enhance the fan experience at the USC Trojan Football games. Brand Affinity said it will deploy its FanPhotos "activation platform" at USC's home games, taking pictures of fans and letting those fans view those photos online, add USC themes and logos, and place photo orders. Financial details of the deal were not announced. BAT said it now ha (More info...)
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)
Qualcomm Launches Android-Connected SmartwatchSan Diego-based Qualcomm is getting into the smart watch market, with the launch of a new, Android-connected smart watch designed to serve up information wirelessly from your smartphone. According to Qualcomm, it new Qualcomm Toq smartwatch features its low power Mirasol display technology, wireless charging, Bluetooth audio, and more, and is designed to serve as a second display to Android phones. Qualcomm said the new device will initially support Android 4.0.3 and above mobile devices.
posted on Thursday, September 5, 2013(Full story)