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LexisNexis Launches Negative News

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 6:42am.
Boca Raton, Fla. - LexisNexis announced on Thursday a new research capability called Negative News. The feature can search over 13,000 news sources for negative news relating to a specific topic, person, or business. The search algorithm works by tracking the proximity of derogatory terms related to criminal acts, bankruptcies, and other types of illicit behavior. The new service will be available for free to current LexisNexis customers for a short period; afterward it will be available for a fee.
tags: LexisNexis | Negative News |

Yahoo Japan Corp. Launches Mobile Content Distribution Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:41am.
Tokyo - Yahoo Japan Corp. announced on Thursday it had launched a distribution service for mobile content, in which cell phone users can buy games, ringtones, news and other entertainment and information offerings from 59 content providers. Yahoo Japan will be paid fees for settling transactions and collecting payments on behalf of content providers. Content providers for the new service include digital content creator Cybird Co. Ltd. and game maker Taito Corp. Yahoo Japan also plans to launch a similar service for PC users next year.
tags: Mobile | Yahoo Japan Corp. | Mobile Content Distribution Service |

Nokia Enters Joint Venture with China Putian to Develop 3G

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:39am.
Helsinki - Finland-based Nokia, the largest mobile-phone company in the world, announced that it has set up a joint venture with China Putian, a state-owned mobile and fixed-network vendor. Together, the two companies plan to invest approximately 93 million euro in the venture, which will develop 3G technology based on China's 3G standard, Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). Nokia will own 49% of the venture, with China Putian controlling the remaining stake. Nokia said that the two companies have already cooperated on GSM technology for more than 10 years. http://press.nokia.com/PR/200510/1015445_5.html 
tags: Nokia | 3G | Mobiles | China Putian |

Federal Indictments in Large Scale Bust of Pirated CDs

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:37am.
San Francisco – A federal grand jury in the Northern District of California indicted three San Francisco men on Wednesday in what prosecutors are calling “the largest bust of pirated CDs in U.S. history.” According to prosecutors, the men have been indicted on charges of illegally reproducing 325,000 music and software CDs, including Latin music and Symantec computer security software. "These individuals are charged with affixing counterfeit labels on CDs to create the appearance of legitimacy, including the FBI Anti-Piracy Warning that stated 'Unauthorized copying is punishable under federal law,"' U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said in a statement. The three men, who have been released on bail, will appear in court on October 27.
tags: Pirated CDs | Federal Indictments |

Jupitermedia Acquires U.K.-based BananaStock for $19 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:34am.
Darien, Conn. - Jupitermedia, a provider of information, images, research and events for the IT, business and graphic design markets, has acquired BananaStock, a U.K.-based provider of royalty-free digital images, for $19 million in cash. "BananaStock's operations complement our existing direct sales operations in the U.K. and will enable further expansion of our JupiterImages business throughout Europe," said Alan Meckler, chairman and CEO of Jupitermedia. Cathy Yeulet, founder and principal creative director of BananaStock, will continue to provide images for BananaStock and JupiterImages through an ongoing production agreement, Meckler said.
tags: Deals | Jupitermedia | U.K | BananaStock |

Japanese Government to Introduce VoIP for Cell Phones by 2007

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:32am.
Tokyo - The Japanese government plans to introduce mobile Voice-over-Internet telephony by 2007, Japanese officials announced on Thursday. The proposal under consideration by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications would allow people to use Voice-over-Internet Protocol, or VoIP, phone service, similar to what's now available on fixed lines, on cell phones. The proposal for the network, which would also allows users to transmit large amounts of data such as streaming video on cell phones, is being discussed in a ministry panel of experts and telecommunications officials, who plan to reach a decision in December, said ministry official Junko Koizumi. While the details of the network have been not decided, several carriers in Japan are expected to apply for licenses to offer mobile VoIP services, which would greatly reduce costs and transmit data faster, Koizumi said.
tags: VOIP | Mobiles | Japanese Government |

CNET: Viacom to Acquire Online VOD Service, iFilm

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:28am.
Los Angeles – Viacom International is expected to acquire iFilm, an online video-on-demand service, CNET News.com reported on Wednesday. According to people familiar with the matter, shareholders of privately held iFilm received a letter in the last week announcing the anticipated buyout by Viacom and seeking their approval. The proposed deal, which is expected to be worth about $50 million, would bolster Viacom’s online entertainment presence by providing an outlet for video content from its many traditional entertainment companies, including MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, and increased revenue from online advertising. Los Angeles-based iFilm offers channels of movies, short films, TV clips, video-game trailers, music videos, and action sports.
tags: CNET | Viacom | IFilm | Online VOD Service |

XM Says Honda to Install Its Radios in 550,000 '06 Vehicles

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:26am.
Washington - XM Satellite Radio, the DC-based provider of satellite radio services with more than 5 million subscribers, said on Thursday that automaker American Honda Motor will factory-install over 550,000 of its 2006 Honda and Acura vehicles with XM radios. XM also has partnerships with General Motors, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and Volkswagen/Audi, and is available in more than 120 different vehicle models for 2005. XM offers more than 150 digital, commercial-free channels of programming for $12.95 a month. http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/051013/dcth021.html?.v=29
tags: Honda | XM | Vehicles | Radios |

Guardian: BSkyB Planning to Acquire U.K. Broadband Firm

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:22am.
London - According to a report in the Guardian, U.K.-based satellite broadcaster BSkyB is planning to acquire a local broadband company in order to compete directly with telecommunications giant BT Group Plc and soon-to-merge cable providers ntl and Telewest. The Guardian also claimed that Rupert Murdoch's company is looking to raise as much as £1 billion to fund the deal and planning to invest more than £200 million in local loop unbundling to provide phone and broadband services directly to end users. Although the Guardian did not specify a particular company, industry experts say Video Networks, Pipex, EasyNet and HomeChoice are the most likely targets. BSkyB has declined to comment on the report.
tags: Deals | Guardian | BSkyB | U.K. Broadband Firm |

Nokia and Sulake Announce Habbo Islands for N-Gage Platform

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:20am.
Barcelona, Spain -- Nokia and Sulake, a Finnish interactive entertainment company and creator of Habbo Hotel, today announced Habbo Islands, a mobile game created to connect to the Habbo Hotel community. "Habbo Islands is another example of how Nokia is widening its title portfolio into new, innovative and exciting areas. Habbo Hotel is an extremely successful on-line community and therefore we believe this collaboration will attract new fans to the N-Gage platform", said Gregg Sauter, Director, Games Publishing, Nokia. Habbo Islands will be exclusive to the N-Gage platform and is expected to be available for consumers during the second half of 2006.
tags: Nokia | Sulake | N-Gage Platform | Habbo Islands |

Digital Content Provider a21 Acquires Ingram Publishing

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:18am.
Jacksonville, Fla. - a21, an online provider of digital content, has acquired Ingram Publishing, a U.K.-based provider of subscription, CD and individual royalty-free images. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1998, Ingram also offers vector graphics and fonts, vehicle outline templates, and print price guides for the graphics design, printing, sign-making, advertising and publishing markets. "We believe that Ingram Publishing has built a valuable portfolio of customers, photographers, distributors, and products within the U.K. and other European markets -- one that we expect to be highly complementary to our SuperStock subsidiary," said Thomas Butta, president of a21. http://www.a21group.com/news.html
tags: Deals | a21 | Ingram Publishing |

MediaTraks Merging with Find YP

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:16am.
Miami - MediaTraks, a Miami-based provider of call-tracking technology for the yellow pages industry, and Find YP, a New Jersey-based developer of software for the yellow pages market, on Thursday announced that they are merging to form the industry's first "full-service" local and national media marketplace. The companies' combined technology allows advertisers to analyze and research local directory publications, purchase advertising space, and track an ad's performance -- all from one central, online location, MediaTraks said. Following the merger, the company will be headquartered in Miami, with product development offices in New Jersey.
tags: Deals | MediaTraks | Find YP |

VOD Provider Concurrent Acquires Everstream Holdings

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:14am.
Duluth, Ga. - Concurrent, a provider of video-on-demand technology, has completed its acquisition of Everstream Holdings, a Cleveland-based provider of business intelligence software, for about $15 million in Concurrent stock. Everstream's products monitor and analyze operations and performance data for real-time analytics, historical reporting, and on-demand advertising. http://www.ccur.com/corp_news_pressrelease.asp?pressreleaseid=416 
tags: VOD | Concurrent | Everstream Holdings |

Survey: India Ranked as Top Mobile Game Market

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:12am.
Cambridge, Mass. - A recent survey by Cambridge-based Pyramid Research of the Brazil, Russia, India and China shows that India ranked as the top mobile game market. Of the 355 respondents in India that identified themselves as mobile data users, 32% said that they play mobile games monthly. The survey predicts that with the rollout of new handsets and networks in India, the mobile gaming market could expand 700% by 2010.
tags: India | Survey | Mobile Game Market |

Continental Vista Launches iSEEradio

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:10am.
Houston - Continental Vista today announced the launch of iSEEradio, a solution for radio broadcasters to provide audio and video over the Internet. Among those using the interactive media player, which allows radio stations to monetize their content through advertising and e-commerce, are Clear Channel Communications’ 94.5 FM The Buzz in Houston. “iSEEradio gives us a great opportunity to delve into a new world and offer our advertisers something that is cutting-edge,” said Stephanie Donovan, director of non-traditional revenue at Clear Channel. “We’re really capitalizing on this huge wave of Internet advertising and taking it to that next level — not just audio but a visual medium. The possibilities are endless.”
tags: Continental Vista | iSEEradio |

N.Y. Times: Even the Toy Industry is Worried about the iPod

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 13, 2005 - 4:07am.
New York - The New York Times on Thursday published an overview of how the latest offerings in consumer electronics are influencing the toy industry. One challenge facing toy manufacturers and merchants is the trend that children are becoming captivated by the digital “toys” of their adult parents, like the iPod. Thus toy companies are aggressively partnering with consumer electronics vendors to provide a wide range of digital toys in time for the holiday season, such as: cell phones; digital video cameras; MP3 players; and DVD video projectors. "This is the year when we will see what works and what fails," said Anita Frazier, of the NPD Group. Her research firm reported that sales of children's electronics rose 40 percent in 2004, to $694 million, which may be a leading indicator that offerings from toy stores and consumer electronics retailers will soon overlap.
tags: iPod | N.Y. Times | Toy Industry |