Amazon to Let Developers Create Apps for the Kindle

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Seattle
– Amazon.com (NASD: AMZN) on Thursday announced that it will release a software development
kit to allow third-party developers to create applications for its Kindle
e-book reader device.

The Kindle Development Kit will be offered in limited
beta beginning next month.

The company said that developer Handmark is building
a Zagat guide application for the Kindle, while Sonic Boom is building
word games and puzzles; Electronic Arts is also developing games for the
Kindle.

Silicon Alley Insider and others noted that the Kindle’s grayscale,
electronic ink-based screen will rule out photos and video, and limit what
developers can do with the platform.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5e6t

http://snipurl.com/u5e7e
(Silicon Alley Insider)

http://www.amazon.com/kdk

Rixty Lands $1.24 Million for Online Payment Platform

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

San Francisco
– Rixty, the developer of an alternative payment platform designed to let
people without credit cards make online entertainment purchases, said on
Thursday that it has raised $1.24 million in seed funding, led by Javelin
Venture Partners.

Accelerator Ventures, First Round Capital, Freestyle Capital,
Nueva Ventures, Soft Tech VC and several angel investors also participated.

San
Francisco-based Rixty’s platform lets people convert their cash into online
credits at more than 20,000 Coinstar kiosks and retail locations.

They then can
spend those credits on games, virtual worlds, social networks, ringtones, and
MP3 downloads.

The company said that it will use the financing to fuel the
growth of its publisher network, expand its product offering and increase its
user base.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5e5t

http://www.rixty.com

Microsoft Sues TiVo in Ongoing DVR Patent Dispute

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Redmond,
Wash. – Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) has filed
patent infringement claims against TiVo (NASD: TIVO), the maker of digital video recorders,
as a ploy in ongoing patent litigation where TiVo has sued AT&T (NYSE: T) — the main
customer of Microsoft’s DVR technology.

TiVo sued AT&T for patent
infringement in August 2009, asking a judge to stop the distribution of set-top
boxes by AT&T that contained the allegedly infringing technology — which are
powered by Microsoft’s software.

For its part, Microsoft’s claims against TiVo relate
to patents covering technology used to purchase and deliver video, and the
display of programming information.

"We remain confident in our position
that AT&T will be found to infringe on the TiVo patents asserted," TiVo
said in a statement.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5dz5
(TiVo statement)

http://snipurl.com/u5dyb
(WSJ)

http://snipurl.com/u5dzw
(DMW previous coverage)

Report: Global Music Sales Down 10% in '09; Digital Up 12%

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

London
– Global recorded music sales were down 10% in 2009, as the digital share of
the market grew 12% to $4.2 billion — and now accounts for 27% of the total
market — according to data from IFPI, a trade group of the major record
labels. The IFPI maintained that, despite growth of the legitimate digital
market, it believes 95% of downloads are still unauthorized, and "illegal
file-sharing and other forms of online piracy are eroding investment and sales
of local music in major markets."

The trade group specifically called out Spain, France
and Brazil
as markets that are "suffering acutely."

The IFPI did note that 400
licensed music services are now available around the world, offering 11 million
tracks.

Single track downloads were up 10% in 2009, and digital album downloads
were up 20%.

"While the music industry has increased its digital revenues
by 940% since 2004, piracy has been the major factor behind the overall global
market decline of around 30% in the same period," IFPI said.

 

Related Links:
http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_resources/dmr2010.html

http://snipurl.com/u5d83
(Reuters)

http://snipurl.com/u5d88
(PaidContent)

Report: Facebook Ditching Microsoft for Display Ads

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
1

New York – Facebook has ceased using Microsoft’s (NASD:  MSFT) services to
sell display advertising in some international markets, and may do the same in
the U.S., Robin Domeniconi, Microsoft’s VP of U.S. ad sales, told BusinessWeek.
"We are in discussions with them on adjusting it or changing it as we go
forward," Keith Lorizio, another Microsoft VP, said of the companies
agreement. "They have a desire to sell their own advertising."

The
changes were said to be restricted to display advertising, and not expected to
alter Microsoft’s deal to sell search-based ads on Facebook.

Along with its
advertising relationship, Microsoft also holds a stake in Facebook after
investing $240 million in the company several years ago.  

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5d1r
(BusinessWeek)

WSJ: Apple Seeks to Reshape Print, TV with Tablet

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

New York – Apple (NASD:  AAPL) is hoping that the new tablet computer it’s
expected to introduce next week will be used in classrooms as well as homes,
and "reshape businesses like textbooks, newspapers and television much the
way his iPod revamped the music industry," The Wall Street Journal
reported, citing people familiar with the situation. Apple intends for multiple
family members or persons to be able to share the device, which is expected to
feature 10- or 11-inch touch-screen, a virtual keyboard, and possibly a webcam.

The company has reportedly recently held discussions with publishers including
The New York Times, Conde Nast and News Corp. on getting their various
publications on the device; one source said The Times is discussing possibly
charging for access through the iTunes Store.

Apple is also said to be working
with Electronic Arts to bring games to the tablet, and speaking to networks
about a "best of TV" subscription service.

The Journal cited analysts
who believe Apple’s tablet device will eventually go on sale for about $1,000.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5cwi
(WSJ)

Social Media Management Firm KnowEm Acquires FriendsCall.Me

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
4

Morristown,
N.J. – KnowEm, a provider of
social media services for businesses, has acquired FriendsCall.Me, a provider
of similar services, for an undisclosed sum, TechCrunch reported.

FriendsCall.Me
was launched in April 2009, and offers to help individuals and businesses
manage their online identities on social media; fees range from $99 for
individuals to $599 for enterprises.

New Jersey-based KnowEm offers similar
services, and has to date secured over 200,000 social media profiles for its
customers.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5cr7
(TechCrunch)

http://www.knowem.com

http://friendscall.me

Social Games Publisher 6 Waves Secures $17.5 Million

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Hong Kong – Social games
publisher 6 Waves announced on Thursday that it has received a $17.5 million
investment from Insight Venture Partners.

Hong Kong-based 6 Waves says its more
than 20 titles, which include "Happy Harvest," "Animal
Paradise" and "My Fishbowl," count over 50 million monthly
active users.

The company offers developers distribution, localization,
monetization and infrastructure services.

6 Waves will use the funds to develop
infrastructure and grow its team.

 

Related Links:
http://www.6waves.com/press.php

Music Discovery, Marketing Site OurStage Gets $2.55 Million

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

Boston
– OurStage, a provider of music discovery and online marketing services for
musicians, has raised $2.55 million towards an expected $6 million in second
round financing, Billboard reported.

The company raised $17 million in its
first round in 2008, and was reported to have raised $3 million towards this
second round in August 2009.

Billboard notes that an SEC filing lists 49
investors for the round.

Boston-based OurStage lets bands upload and market
their music to fans, who in turn can rate and rank them.

The company expects
its second round to bring it to profitability this year.

 

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u5cbh
(Billboard)

http://www.ourstage.com

Mobixell Networks Acquires Mobile Internet Firm 724 Solutions

By
Mark Hefflinger
-
0

San Jose,
Calif. – Mobixell Networks, a
provider of mobile multimedia and advertising services, announced on Thursday
that it has acquired mobile Internet firm 724 Solutions.

Financial terms of the
deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2000, San Jose, Calif.-based Mobixell provides
multimedia processing and multi-channel mobile advertising to over 300 mobile
operators and content producers.

Mobixell said that the merged company "will
create a global organisation with local sales and support capability in the US, UK,
China, Switzerland, India,
Israel,
and other countries, and with a customer base of over 350 mobile operators
worldwide."

 

Related Links:
http://www.mobixell.com

http://www.724.com

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