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Mahalo Opens Wikipedia-style Editing

Santa Monica-based Mahalo, the high profile, guided search startup headed by former Weblogs founder Jason Calacanis, said Wednesday afternoon that it has launched the ability to let anyone edit any page on Mahalo, even without logging into the site. Calacanis described the new feature on his blog as "Wikipedia with paid Fact Checkers." The new features also include the ability for anyone to create a new page, much like Wikipedia allows users to create pages on any topic....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

AeroVironment Gets Special Ops Contract
Monrovia, California-based AeroVironment, a developer of unmanned aircraft and other products, announced Wednesday that the firm has been selected by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for a unmanned aircraft contract. AeroVironment said that the USSOCOM has selected the firm's Puma AE aircraft in a deal initially worth $6M. The contract could be worth up to $200M, including the purchase of aircraft, ground control systems, spares, repairs, and training....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Linspire Acquired By Xandros

San Diego-based Linspire, developer of the Linspire and Freespire Linux operating systems, has been acquired by Xandros, a developer of Linux management products. Xandros announced the acquisition this morning, but did not disclose financial terms of the deal. Linspire--formerly Lindows--developed a version of the Linux operating system geared toward consumers, for use on their desktop machines....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Stamps.com Wins Patent Suit

Los Angeles-based Stamps.com has scored a win in a patent infringement suit, Stamps.com announced Tuesday. Stamps.com said that it has received a unanimous jury verdict that its NetStamps feature and technology does not infringe on patents from Kara Technology. Kara Technology sued Stamps.com in October of 2004 for patent infringement. According to Stamps.com, the jury found that no damages were due....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

CalAmp Gets Bahamas Win

Oxnard-based CalAmp, a developer of wireless hardware and other products, said Wednesday that the firm's products have been deployed by the Grand Bahamas Power Company in Freeport, Grand Bahamas. According to CalAmp, it is in a project to provide island-wide, seamless voice communications on Grand Bahamas Island, in a contract worth approximately $1.5 million. The power company will use CalAmp's SmartLink platform for redundant radio voice communications across the island....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Loop'd Network Launches BMX Site

San Diego-based Loop'd Network, which operates a number of action sports related web sites, said Tuesday that it has launched a new web site, Beijingbmx.com. According to Loop'd, the new site is being launched in collaboration with online BMX racing site BMX Mania, and will cover BMX information at the 2008 Olympic Games. The new site will feature coverage of races, behind the scenes games coverage, and also include social networking and other community functionality....READ MORE >>
posted on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Providea Gets Investment From Private Equity Firm

Camarillo-based Providea, a provider of hardware and installation services for the video conferencing sector, has scored an investment as part of a recapitalization deal, the firm said Tuesday. According to Providea, it has received a growth equity investment from WestView Capital Partners, but did not disclose details of the funding. Providea provides video conferencing solutions, managed services, installation, and support....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Report: No IPOs In Q2
Dow Jones VentureSource, a provider of venture capital data, reported Tuesday that we are in the midst of the second-longest IPO drought since it started tracking the industry in 1992. According to Dow Jones, Q2 of this year was the worst quarter since 2003, with no initial public offerings of U.S. venture-backed companies in the quarter. During the quarter, there were 10 companies which withdrew their IPO registrations, with 22 venture-backed firms still in IPO registration....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Dataskill Buys Silicon Space

San Diego-based Dataskill Inc., a provider of IT and software services, has acquired fellow software product development firm Silicon Space, Dataskill announced Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Silicon Space is a provider of outsourced software development and design services. According to Dataskill, all employees of Silicon Space will join the firm, and Curt Nelson, former President and CEO of Silicon Space, will join its advisory board....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

VirtualTourist.com, OneTime.com Acquired By TripAdvisor
VirtualTourist.com Inc. and Onetime.com Inc, two Manhattan Beach-based online travel web sites, have been acquired by online travel information web site TripAdvisor LLC, which is owned by Expedia Inc. Financial details of the acquisitions were not disclosed. VirtualTourist.com provides user-generated travel content, and OneTime.com is an online travel booking comparison web site....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

RealD In Deal With Cinemark

Los Angeles-based RealD, a provider of technology for 3D projection of motion picture films, has inked a deal with Cinemark Holdings to add 1,500 new screens. According to the two companies, Cinemark will add up to 1,500 RealD 3D screens to its circuit, which will up the total number of screens with RealD's technology to 5,000. Financial impact and terms of the deal were not disclosed. RealD develops technology used for showing 3D films....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

eHow Enhances How-To Site

Santa Monica-based eHow, the online information site owned by Demand Media, has rolled out a new "Quick Guide" feature on its web site, saying that the new feature will show the most frequently requested topics and articles from the site in specific verticals. eHow provides short articles and videos on various "how-to" topics, ranging from computer topics, to changing your oil. The new feature bundles together similar topics--for example, articles about gardening--under a single page....READ MORE >>
posted on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

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