Thursday, May 15, 2014Latest Oculus Rift Idea: The Matrix, But For ChickensIrvine-based Oculus VR, the virtual reality technology developer which was just picked up by Facebook for $2 billion--has a lot of developers with great virtual reality game and simulation ideas and software in the works. However, the latest idea to make the rounds is an original one: to use the hardware to create what would essentially be "The Matrix", for chickens. According to an Iowa paper, an Iowa State University professor is proposing a project called Second Livestock, which would use Ocu (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
DreamHammer Wins Deal In ColumbiaSanta Monica-based drone software developer DreamHammer has scored a win in the country of Columbia, saying Thursday that it has signed up Columbia distributor Emerging Technologies Corporation (ETC), to serve as the lead systems integrator of the company's products to the Colombian Government, Armed Forces and National Police. Financial impact of the deal was not announced. Dreamhammer, which is led by Nelson Paez, is developing a suite of software used to operate unmanned aerial vehicles; the (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
JustFab Seeking IPO, $100M InvestmentLos Angeles-based online apparel and shoe company JustFab is eyeing a possible IPO, and also is in the midst of raising between $50 to $100M, according to a report. According to the report, from Re/Code, the company has hired Morgan Stanley as an advisor. JustFab has previously said it is expecting to generate around $400M in sales in 2014. JustFab is led by Adam Goldenberg, and is a spinout of Intelligent Beauty.
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
Fandango Lands Three New Theater ChainsLos Angeles-based online and mobile movie ticketing provider Fandango announced this morning that it has signed on three new theater chains--bringing it roughly 85 percent of the nation's theaters which have online and mobile ticketing. The company said the three chains include Arizona-based Harkins Theatres, Texas-based Premiere Cinemas, and New Jersey-based Digiplex Destinations, all of which will use the company's online and mobile ticketing tools. The three new chains add around 1,000 new sc (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
Insights: 10 Common Interviewing Mistakes Often Made By Developers
Think being a developer is all you need to do to get a job at a company? For our Insights and Opinions section today, Helen MacKinnon of Technical Connections gives a list of the top ten interviewing mistakes made by developers.
Given the need for good developers these days and the imbalance between supply and demand, you may conclude that how you interview doesn't matter. And you would be wrong. Many companies will pass on a person with good technical skills if s/he makes the mistakes (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
ChowNow Updates Restaurant Ordering SoftwareLos Angeles-based ChowNow said this morning that it has updated its online ordering platform for restaurant, launching a new, version 2.0 of its service. The company--led by Christopher Webb--develops a service for restaurants which lets them accept online orders through their own, branded mobile apps, Facebook, and a restaurant's own websites. The company said the updated platform includes streamlined, mobile friendly upgrades and new tools for personalized takeout and delivery. Webb says the c (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
Janssen Labs Expands In San FranciscoSan Diego-based Janssen Labs, a life sciences incubator which is part of Janssen Research & Development, said it is expanding its footprint, and is opening up a new, 30,000 square foot lab in South San Francisco. The company--which says it currently hosts 53 life sciences companies across three incubators in San Diego--says its new facility in San Francisco will accommodate up to 50, independent, emerging companies. Janssen Labs said the new facility is colocated with staff from Johnson & Johnso (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
United Online Names New CFOWoodland Hills-based United Online said Wednesday that it has named Edward Zinser as the company's new Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Zinser was most recently EVP and CFO of THQ, and also had served as EVP and CFO of Vivendi Universal Games. Zinser also had served at StyleClick, Internet Shopping Network, Chromium Graphics, and the Walt Disney Company. Zinser takes the post from interim CFO Michelle Stalick, who returns to her role as Chief Accounting Officer.
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)
Kofax Wins $1.1M SaleIrvine-based document processing software developer Kofax reported a $1.1M win yesterday, saying that it is offering up its products to an un-named provider of finance and insurance products. Kofax said the deal covers improving and enhancing a claims processing operation for the un-named client. Kofax develops applications used for document capture and handling. Kofax said the sale included $580,000 in software license revenue, $100,000 in maintenance services, and $430,000 in professional serv (More info...)
posted on Thursday, May 15, 2014(Full story)