socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Attention Muppet fans! Did you ever wish you could talk to Miss Piggy on a one on one chat? Miss Piggy has been offering up one-on-one, live chats via Facebook Messenger all this week--part of the first deployment of technology from the Disney Accelerator. According to Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Labs , The Muppets Studios and Disney Accelerator company imperson , Miss Piggy offered up live chats both Monday and Wednesday, and will also do so on Friday between 10am and 11am PS

Artificial Inteligence 152

Artificial Inteligence Screening Media Technology 152

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2015

One of the biggest challenges in any business, large or small, is overcoming the natural human preference for status quo , or fear of change. It means that most team members and executives alike have a natural tendency to prefer killing innovations rather than implementing them. Even customers, while they all want the next big thing, want it to happen with minimal new learning.

Artificial Inteligence 58

Artificial Inteligence Startup Google Organization 58

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Action camera maker GoPro said Tuesday that it has tied with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT), to launch a program to provide students with GoPro cameras and accessories to create content, and where it will also provide guided workshops, education, and one-on-one mentorship to students. According to GoPro, the link with UCLA is an extension of its university program--originally launched at USC in October --and also includes a deal with the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

UCLA 136

UCLA USC Education Guide 136

Tech Zulu Event

DECEMBER 9, 2015

The holidays are here, bringing with them the annual boost in retail purchases. According to a recent survey, around 40 percent of U.S. consumers are ready to increase their spending this season, and the tech industry in particular is sure to see a lot of that business. If you’ll be catering to electronics consumers in the coming weeks, take advantage of these simple tips to make sure your holidays are merry and profitable. 1 Get started early.

Social Media 40

Social Media Entrepreneur Resource Tips 40

Advertiser: Aggregage

Office leases are one of companies’ largest expenses, and if your whole team is working from home with no clear end in sight, you may be wondering what to do about your lease.

Company

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Los Angeles-based SGN said today that it has acquired two, new game development studios, as a result of its recent $130M strategic investment round. SGN said it has acquired Fat Rascal Games , based in Seattle, and the talent behind Kiwi Inc. in Palo Alto. Financial details of the buy were not disclosed. SGN said that the team at Fat Rascal have produced popular titles such as Zynga Slingo, Matrix Online, and Hidden Chronicles.

Develop 116

Develop Development San Diego Los Angeles 116

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Calabasas-based network testing equipment and software developer Ixia is reporting a win with the University of Texas at Austin this morning, saying that its products have been selected to provide end-to-end network visibility in a security effort at the school. FInancial details of the win were not announced. Ixia said the school is using its Net Tool Optimizer NTO 7300 and Application and Threat Intelligence Processor (ATIP) products.

Calabasas 109

Calabasas .Net Software Development Networking 109

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

San Diego-based life sciences equipment maker Illumina has made an investment in UK-based Desktop Genetics Ltd. , Desktop Genetics said late last night. Financial details of the investment round were not announced. Desktop Genetics Ltd develops software used for gene editing. According to Desktop Genetics, the funding will go towards development and commercialization of its products.

Invest 109

Invest San Diego Software Funding 109

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

Interule , a media startup which says it is developing video that responds to a person's emotions and interests, has raised $18.2M in a new funding round. The funding came from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM), along with Sequoia Capital, Intel Capital and others. Inerlude--which has an office in Los Angeles, but is based in New York--said that MGM CEO Gary Barber has joined the company's board as an observer.

Content 109

Content Los Angeles Tool Capital 109

socalTECH

DECEMBER 9, 2015

The City of San Bernardino said this morning that it has opened up a GoFundMe campaign to help support victims of last week's terrorist attack. The new Support San Bernardino campaign was established by the Mayor and Common Council of San Bernardino. The group said that San Diego-based GoFundMe will be waiving all of its fees associated with the fund, so that the total sum will go only to the victims.

San Diego 109

San Diego Sites Funding Help 109