Searching for extraterrestrial intelligence has always been a slightly controversial topic, not because we don’t want it to happen, but because it requires sophisticated and expensive equipment. Can millions really be spent on scanning the heavens when here on earth, there’s a very real shortage of funding for things like education and social services? It’s a loaded question, of course, and a complex one, but the undeniable truth of it is that programs like SETI are considered non-critical, and in times like these, they’re on the short list for gutting. → Read More
Amazon reported earnings today, posting strong sales results but missing on net income. Sales came in at $9.86 billion in the first quarter, which is up 38 percent from the same quarter in 2010. On the earnings call CFO Thomas Szkutak said that Amazon is planning to open at least nine fulfillment centers to meet growing demand in sales across the globe.
Amazon’s fulfillment centers enables the company and third-party merchants to store inventory and fulfill orders. He says that at least one of the nine fulfillment centers is currently operational, and another one should be up and running imminently. He expects seven more to open this year, and Amazon may add more if demand grows. Amazon currently has over 50 fulfillment centers across the globe. → Read More
When SumoBags approached me about writing about one of their beanbag chairs, I figured that since we write about games and gamers like beanbag chairs that it might be a good match. Little did I know that the Sumo Titan is one of the biggest freaking beanbag chairs I’ve ever seen. It is, in fact, so massive that I’d consider it a couch. It also gets bigger over time, thereby proving theories about the danger of nanotechnology and the so-called “grey goo.” → Read More
Kobojo, a social games developer based in Paris, France, has landed 5.3 million euros (roughly $7.5 million) in its first round of funding. The financing round was led by Endeavour Vision with IDinvest Partners participating.
Kobojo is one of Europe’s leaders in publishing and distributing games for mobile phones and the Facebook platform. The company was founded in 2008 and counts games like GooBox and PyramidVille among its most popular applications. → Read More
On the heels of buying enterprise learning startup Jambok, the company has acquired another learning management software developer-Plateau Systems. SuccessFactors will pay $145 million in cash plus $145 million in stock for Plateau, for a total of $290 million.
Plateau Systems’ Learning Management Systems is generally usually used by Human Resources departments for the management and delivery of learning and training across organizations. Plateau Systems’s Talent Management Suite includes applications for learning management, performance management, career and succession planning and compensation management. → Read More
While the name “G’zOne Commando” is totally ridiculous, the phone actually looks pretty solid. And by solid, I mean solid. The Commando is ruggedized and can be submersed in water, exposed to extreme temperatures, and survive the other vicissitudes our phones are often subjected to, by accident or design. It runs Android 2.2 with a custom skin from Casio, and has the usual Verizon stuff on it as well. → Read More
E-commerce giant Amazon just reported first quarter 2011 result, posting $9.86 billion in the first quarter, which is up 38 percent from the same quarter in 2010.
Unfortunately, Amazon’s net income decreased 33% to $201 million in the first quarter, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared with net income of $299 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in first quarter 2010. Amazon says that excluding the $144 million favorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales would have grown 36% compared with first quarter 2010. Analysts expected 60 cents per share, on sales of $9.53 billion. → Read More
Mobile application developer Outfit7, maker of the hugely popular Talking Friends series of apps, has announced that its iOS and Android apps have hit the 100 million downloads milestone, roughly 3 months after hitting the 60 million downloads milestone.
Notably, Outfit7 launched its first Talking Friend app less than ten months ago (July 2010). → Read More
Sony has finally released a status update about the Playstation Network, which has been down since April 21. And it sounds like things couldn’t be much worse.
Sony says that “certain PSN and Qriocity service user account information was compromised” during an illegal intrusion between April 17 and April 19. Among the personal data that was accessed: name, address, email, birthdate, PSN network login/password, PSN handle, PSN password security answers, and possibly credit card information. Sony explains that “While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, we cannot rule out the possibility.” Wow. → Read More
The great thing about building successful software applications is that you don’t really need a proper education, but rather a good understanding of markets and obviously knowledge of how to program.
Meet Julian Zehetmayer, who in 2010 as a 17-year old high school drop out quietly launched MobFox, a mobile advertising network, much like Admob, but with a simple and clear USP: Higher CPCs/CPMs for developers working with MobFox as their mobile advertising solution of choice. The startup, which is currently self funded and according to the founder “only interested if the deal is interesting enough”, is already being used in around 1,500 applications worldwide, with several renowned apps such as Friendly for Facebook or IM+ making money through MobFox’s ad engine. → Read More
Baseball season has started, and tempted by an offer of free access to live games for the month of April, I downloaded the MLB.com At Bat app for the iPad.
The free live baseball broadcasts are sponsored by Volvo. However, the promotion is only available to iOS users, even though the MLB At Bat app is available for Android. Curious.
→ Read More
In January, MediaStay became the first French ad network to be approved by Facebook. Then, in the beginning of April, the company announced that it had raised €15 million ($21.5 million) to take its Tap-joy like game monetization solutions international – mainly in the US.
Today, MakeMeReach, a similar French ad network, is announcing that it too has raised money for international development. The company – which was approved by Facebook in January shortly after MediaStay – has just closed a €3 million round with 3 French funds, Alven Capital, Siparex and UFG-Siparex. The cofounders are still apparently the primary shareholders. → Read More
Sorry, Jailbreakers; looks like the free ride might be over. A few weeks back, a good number of folks who had been using a not-quite-official method of tethering their AT&T iPhones received a friendly little alert: AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? In other words: they know what you’re up to, Buster Brown, and they’d rather you stopped. Now, AT&T is following up with a second, not-so-subtle message: knock it off, or you’re gonna feel it on your bill. → Read More
Group photo sharing site ZangZing, which Mike has written extensively about, has launched in private beta today and is giving out beta invites to 250 TechCrunch readers. Those clamoring for one can sign up for early access here.
Unlike Flickr and Facebook, ZangZing is focused on sharing photos in groups, where “every album is a group album.” “The state of photo sharing on the web feels like it’s stuck in the dark ages,” said co-founder Joseph Ansanelli. → Read More
Verizon was the only carrier that sold the original Droid Incredible. HTC announced a follow-up handset called the Incredible S. Yeah, that’s pretty much all it took for everyone to figure out that Verizon would be picking up the Incredible S sooner or later. Sure enough, VZW has just dropped a big ol’ bag of official on the Incredible S, though it’ll be dubbed the “Incredible 2″ from here on out. So, when’s it coming? Surprisingly soon. Just two days from now, in fact: April 28th, for $200 on a 2-year contract.. Take a peek behind the jump for an overview of the specs. → Read More
It was only this past December that local business guide Backyard launched, backed by a few big-name early-stage investors. Now, less than five months later, they’re exiting and providing a nice, quick return for those investors.
PixelFish, a creator of local video marketing solutions for businesses, has snapped up Backyard in a deal that is roughly half stock and half cash, we’ve learned. The deal is for between $3 to $5 million — and again, is a nice exit since the service had raised just $150,000 in seed money from 500 Startups, Jason Calacanis, and Eric Schmidt’s Tomorrow Ventures. Notably, this marks the second exit for Schmidt’s venture wing in as many weeks (after MindJolt acquired SGN last week). → Read More
Music video site Vevo, which now claims to be the third largest source for video on the web, has opened up in the UK today, including versions of its iPhone, iPad & Android apps hitting their respective local app stores.
In September of last year, the site boasted 49 million unique video viewers per-month, with 500 million views in the US and 1.4 billion in the rest of the world. However, that was before it could be accessed in Britain and with Vevo’s doors open across the pond it’s likely we’ll see the site grow further, which could be bad news for local player Muzu.TV. → Read More
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