Mobile engagement platform Urban Airship is acquiring SimpleGeo, which is best known for enabling app developers to include location-aware features, in an all-stock deal announced today. Further details on the terms were not made available.

4Info, a San Mateo, Calif.-based developer of mobile advertising technology, said on Thursday it has raised $14 million in a new round from Paul Allen's Vulcan Capital, Mitsui Global Investment and previous backers Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Gannett, Mezzanine Capital and U.S. Venture Partners.

Sony and Ericsson announced that the mobile handset business will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony, ending their decade-long partnership. Under terms of the agreement, Ericsson will receive EUR 1.05 billion (about $1.47 billion) in cash.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Blondie are connecting directly with their mobile fans, spanning all social networks, following a partnership between social discover app Banjo and The Eleven Seven Music Group to support the band’s current tour and album, "Panic of Girls."

A third of consumers use their mobile phones while they’re at home, not just when they’re out and about. And one in five watches video on their phone at least once every day, according to a Yahoo! and Ipsos study.

Skanz, a company that sums up anyone’s online identity in a QR code, has partnered with young musician Matt Hunter to demonstrate the company's vision of how their platform could work on a commercial level.

Global technology venture capital firm DCM has named the first seven companies to receive backing from its $100 million Android-focused fund (A-Fund), based their ability to advantage of Android's rapid growth and its uniquely open platform.

PlayUp has stepped up to the plate with a mobile social network just for sports fans. The free app allows users to follow their choice of thousands of live games in real time, while simultaneously discussing the action with fellow fans on their mobile devices using the free in-app rich media messaging feature, regardless of physical location.

Callaway Digital Arts (CDA) has appointed Rex Ishibashi as chief executive officer of the company, which makes family-friendly mobile and tablet applications. He replaces Nicholas Callaway, who has moved to the role of chief creative officer.