January 20, 2010

San Francisco
– Evidence has emerged that purports to show that Chinese programmers were
behind the recent attacks on Google’s (NASD: GOOG) Gmail service that targeted Chinese human
rights activists, among others, The New York Times reported. Joe Stewart, a
malware specialist with Atlanta-based SecureWorks, told The Times he used
reverse engineering to determine that "the main program used in the attack
contained a module based on an unusual algorithm from a Chinese technical paper
that has been published exclusively on Chinese-language Web sites."

The
method behind the Google attack is believed to have been a Trojan horse called
Hydraq.

The cyber attack on Google has caused the company to reconsider its
very presence in China.

The company has since decided to stop censoring Internet search results for
Chinese users, and yesterday postponed the launch of two Android-powered mobile
phones in China
as it holds talks with the Chinese government about a way forward.

http://snipurl.com/u4y11
(DMW previous coverage)

Opera Buys Mobile Ad Firm AdMarvel

Mark Hefflinger

January 20, 2010

Oslo, Norway – Opera Software, the
Norway-based developer of Web and mobile browser technology, announced on Wednesday
that it has acquired AdMarvel, the provider of a mobile advertising network.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2006, San Mateo, Calif.-based AdMarvel says it aims "to make
mobile advertising an open ecosystem, through better transparency of
performance and simpler management of ad traffic to optimize revenue."

Opera claims nearly 50 million monthly users for its mobile Web browser.

http://www.admarvel.com

ESPN Acquires Virtual Ad Insertion Firm Vistas Unlimited

Mark Hefflinger

January 20, 2010

Bristol,
Conn. – Disney’s (NYSE: DIS) ESPN has
acquired Vistas Unlimited, a developer of virtual ad and graphics insertion
technology for live sports broadcasts, Broadcasting & Cable reported.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Plano, Texas-based Vistas
has received a Sports Emmy Award and George Wensel Technical Achievement Award
for its technology.

The company’s AimPoint system is employed by The Golf
Channel, to enhance shots on the putting green in PGA and LPGA broadcasts.

"The
team that is joining ESPN brings a wealth of knowledge on developing
cutting-edge virtual components that enhance the fan’s enjoyment of a game
telecast," said Chuck Pagano, executive vice president of technology at ESPN.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u4xvh
(Broadcasting & Cable)

http://www.vistasinc.com

Virtual Currency Platform gWallet Launches Venture Fund

Mark Hefflinger

January 20, 2010

San Francisco
– gWallet, a virtual currency platform for social media developers, is
launching a new venture fund, gWallet Ventures, that will invest in social
gaming companies, TechCrunch reported.

San Francisco-based gWallet itself just
raised $12.5 million in its first round of funding in December, led by Adams
Street Partners.

Founder Gurbaksh Chahal told TechCrunch the company will use
excess proceeds from this round to fuel the investment fund.

The company is
already looking to invest in game developers and social gaming firms on
Facebook and MySpace, with an eye toward early-stage investments in the
$100,000 to $1 million range.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/u4xqa
(TechCrunch)

http://www.gwallet.com