Archives

Report: 29% of iPod, MP3 Player Owners Have Downloaded a Podcast

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 4, 2005 - 4:32am.
Washington -- Of the estimated more than 22 million American adults who own an iPod or other digital music player, 6 million or 29% have downloaded a "podcast" audio program from the Internet, according to a new survey from the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Most podcasts consist of talk radio programs produced by either amateurs or professional media groups; NPR recently launched a slate of podcasts for most of its popular radio programs. Free podcast software is first downloaded to a PC, which may then be programmed to automatically download MP3 files of audio programs and sync them to a connected iPod or other player. The Pew survey also found that nearly half of iPod owners ages 18-28 have downloaded podcasts, compared with 20% of owners over age 29.
tags: Reports | iPod | Download | Podcast | MP3 Player |

Benchmark Capital Acquires 40% Stake in U.K. Game Developer Codemasters

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 4, 2005 - 4:29am.
London -- Benchmark Capital Europe, a unit of the California-based venture capital firm, announced on Monday that it has acquired a 40% interest in U.K.-based video game publisher Codemasters. The developer is credited with titles including "Colin McRae Rally," "American Idol" and "Brian Lara Cricket." The investment will be used for the acquisition of third-party licenses and game titles, as well as to accelerate the company's new game development, and also to expand into mobile and massively multiplayer online game markets. Other Benchmark investments include Finnish online games firm Sulake, eBay and Red Hat.
tags: Benchmark Capital | Codemasters | Stake | Acquires | U.K. Game Developer |

Mobile Digital TV Chip Developer Siano Raises $11.5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 4, 2005 - 4:27am.
Netanya, Israel -- Siano Mobile Silicon, a developer of mobile digital TV chips, announced on Monday that it has raised $11.5 million in its first round of venture capital financing. Jerusalem Venture Partners led the investment round, which included participation from Walden Israel and Star Ventures. Founded in June 2004 by former Emblaze Semiconductor CEO Alon Ironi, the company said it will use the funds for product development. Israel-based Siano is developing a multi-standard, multi-band integrated receiver mobile TV chip for use in cell phones, laptops, portable video players and other consumer electronics. "The new emerging market of TV on mobile requires breakthrough solutions that will overcome issues of mobility, power consumption, and physical size, while minimizing the overhead on the already-sensitive bill of material of hand held devices," said Siano board member Dr. Ulrich Schumacher.
tags: Siano | Mobile Digital TV Chip Developer |

Digital Amplifier Firm D2Audio Raises $12.5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 4, 2005 - 4:23am.
Austin, Texas -- D2Audio, a manufacturer of digital audio amplifiers, announced on Monday that it has raised $12.5 million in its third round of venture capital financing. New investor CenterPoint Ventures led the investment round; previous investors Sevin Rosen Funds, Austin Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners also participated. Austin-based D2Audio's products include digital audio amplifiers for home theater audio and video receivers, home automation and distributed audio, and powered loudspeakers and subwoofers. The funds will be used to launch the company's third-generation line of products, and to expand its staff.
tags: VC | Digital Amplifier | D2Audio |

Digital Video Delivery Firm Harmonic Acquires BTL for $7.5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 4, 2005 - 4:20am.
London -- Harmonic, a provider of digital video, broadband optical networking and IP delivery systems, announced on Monday that it has acquired Broadcast Technology (BTL), a U.K.-based supplier of professional video/audio receivers and decoders, for $7.5 million. "BTL is a great fit with Harmonic's business," said Yaron Simler, Harmonic's president of convergent systems. "Together, we are positioned to better serve our current and prospective customers across the range of video service providers."
tags: Harmonic | Acquires | Digital Video Delivery | BTL |