PlaySpan Announces $16.8 Million in Series B Funding
- PlaySpan, Inc., (www.playspan.com) the leading provider of digital goods micro-transaction and payment solutions, today announced $16.8M in Series B investment from Easton Capital Group, Menlo Ventures, Novel TMT Ventures, STIC and other undisclosed investors. This new capital brings the company’s total funding to $24M. The new funding will be used to expand into Europe and Asia and to grow PlaySpan’s global publisher and user-base.
“Online games publishers and social media application developers are looking for new sources of revenue beyond traditional advertising and subscriptions. We are enabling a new business model in the form of micro-transactions for users that prefer the pay-as-you-go model,” said Karl Mehta, Founder & CEO of PlaySpan. “It is a testament to our market-leading position, demonstrated growth, and the long-term potential of virtual goods and micro-transactions that we have raised a significant round in spite of the current economic climate.”
The pay-as-you-go model has gained rapid adoption and is poised for tremendous future growth because it gives consumers more control over their entertainment experience and offers publishers expanded revenue opportunities. PlaySpan offers publishers and developers a complete out-of-the-box platform for managing secure, efficient micro-transactions, virtual goods sales, global alternative payments and peer-to-peer trading. PlaySpan’s platform enables any developer to monetize any content at any price for any user in any country, said Mehta.
“The PlaySpan team has made substantial progress in pursuit of a big idea: making small payments in-game and out as easy as a web click,” said Shawn Carolan, managing director, Menlo Ventures. “We’re thrilled to be able to support their ongoing success with both partners and end-users as they realize their full vision of a universal micro-payments solution.”
The PlaySpan micro-transactions monetization platform integrates alternative payment options through its subsidiary PayByCash (TM), which supports more than 70 payment solutions in 180-plus countries. PayByCash’s pre-paid ULTIMATE GAME CARD® extends the payment solution offline as it is available in 20,000 retail locations in North America and worldwide, including 7-Eleven, Blockbuster, Rite Aid and Wal-Mart stores and supports more than 200 online games.
The PlaySpan and PayByCash platform supports more than 200 games in aggregate from publishers such as Aeria Games, Eve Online, Gala-Net, GamersFirst, Gravity, Ntreev, Outspark, Saga and YNK and yet-to-be-announced publishers reaching over 100 million online gamers worldwide.
IBM today unveiled its third annual “Next Five in Five” – five innovations that will change how people work, live and play over the next five years.
IBM today unveiled its third annual “Next Five in Five” – five innovations
that will change how people work, live and play over the next five years.
They are a glimpse into our future. Appended below a press release on the
same for your kind perusal and publication.
IBM reveals five innovations that will change our life over the next five
years
26 Nov 2008: Unveiled today, the third
annual “IBM Next Five in Five” is a list of innovations that have the
potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five
years. IBM’s five technology-driven innovations for the future include the
ubiquitous access to cheap solar energy; computational genomics that will
help drive personalized medicine; digital shopping assistants; surfing the
web using our voice and smart applications to aid memory.
“For 15 consecutive years, we have earned more patents than any other
company, but what makes us proud is the value we deliver to our clients,
society and to the world. This list of innovations is a reflection of
that,” said Dr Ponani Gopalakrishnan, Vice-President, IBM India Software
Lab (ISL).
The five innovations selected are based on market and societal trends with
the potential to transform our lives, on-going projects in IBM’s research
labs, insights from IBM’s business think tank and ideas from employees and
partners around the world.
Commenting on IBM’s “Next Five in Five”, Dr. Guruduth Banavar, Director,
IBM India Research Laboratory said, “We are committed to tackling the
world’s toughest problems.” “IBM’s researchers are looking at creating
significant value that arises from the creation of defining and
life-changing innovations. We believe that in the next five years, our
lives could change through technology innovations in the following ways:”
Energy saving solar technology will be built into asphalt, paint and
windows
Ever wonder how much energy could be created by having solar technology
embedded in our sidewalks, driveways, siding, paint, rooftops, and windows?
In the next five years, solar energy will be an affordable option for you
and your neighbors. Until now, the materials and the process of producing
solar cells to convert into solar energy have been too costly for
widespread adoption. But now this is changing with the creation of
“thin-film” solar cells, a new type of cost-efficient solar cell that can
be 100 times thinner than silicon-wafer cells and produced at a lower cost.
These new thin-film solar cells can be “printed” and arranged on a flexible
backing, suitable for not only the tops, but also the sides of buildings,
tinted windows, cell phones, notebook computers, cars, and even clothing.
You will have a crystal ball for your health
What if you could foresee your health destiny and use that knowledge to
modify your lifestyle? Even though we are told that things like French
fries, potato chips, cheese and wine aren’t good for us, what if you could
find out specifically that you are someone who could consume more of those
vices without having negative impact on your health? In the next five
years, your doctor will be able to provide you with a genetic map that
tells you what health risks you are likely to face in your lifetime and the
specific things you can do to prevent them, based on your specific DNA –
all for less than $200. Ever since scientists discovered how to map the
entire human genome, it has opened new doors in helping to unlock the
secrets our genes hold to predicting health traits and conditions we may be
predisposed to. Doctors can use this information to recommend lifestyle
changes and treatments. Pharmaceutical companies will also be able to
engineer new, more effective medications that are targeted for each of us
as individual patients. Genetic mapping will radically transform healthcare
over the next five years and allow you to take better care of yourself.
You will talk to the Web . . . and the Web will talk back
“Going” to the web will change dramatically in the next five years. In the
future, you will be able to surf the Internet, hands-free, by using your
voice – therefore eliminating the need for visuals or keypads. New
technology will change how people create, build and interact with
information and e-commerce websites – using speech instead of text. We know
this can happen because the technology is available, but we also know it
can happen because it must. In places like India, where the spoken word is
more prominent than the written word in education, government and culture,
“talking” to the Web is leapfrogging all other interfaces, and the mobile
phone is outpacing the PC. In the future, through the use of “VoiceSites,”
people without access to a personal computer and Internet, or who are
unable to read or write, will be able to take advantage of all the benefits
and conveniences the Web has to offer. And by the web becoming more
accessible by using voice, it will become easier to use for everyone.
Imagine being within a phone call’s reach from the ability to post, scan
and respond to e-mails and instant messages – without typing. You will be
able to sort through the Web verbally to find what you are looking for and
have the information read back to you – as if you are having a conversation
with the Web.
You will have your own digital shopping assistants
Ever find yourself in a fitting room with all the wrong sizes and no
salesperson in sight? And what about affirmation from friends that the
outfit you’ve chosen truly does look good on you? In the next five years,
shoppers will increasingly rely on themselves - and the opinions of each
other - to make purchasing decisions rather than wait for help from
in-store sales associates. A combination of new technology and the next
wave of mobile devices will give the in-store shopping experience a
significant boost. Fitting rooms soon will be outfitted with digital
shopping assistants - touch screen and voice activated kiosks that will
allow you to choose clothing items and accessories to complement, or
replace, what you already selected. Once you make your selections, a sales
associate is notified and will gather the items and bring them directly to
you. You’ll also be able to snap photos of yourself in different
combinations and email or SMS them to your friends and family for the
thumbs up…or the thumbs down. Shoppers can access product ratings and
reviews from fellow consumers and will even be able to download
money-saving coupons and instantly apply them to their purchases.
Forgetting will become a distant memory
Information overload keeping you up at night? Forget about it. In the next
five years, it will become much easier to remember what to buy at the
grocery store, which errands need to be run, who you spoke with at a
conference, where and when you agreed to meet a friend, or what product you
saw advertised at the airport. That’s because such details of everyday life
will be recorded, stored, analyzed, and provided at the appropriate time
and place by both portable and stationary smart appliances. To help make
this possible, microphones and video cameras will record conversations and
activities. The information collected will be automatically stored and
analyzed on a personal computer. People can then be prompted to “remember”
what discussions they had, for example, with their daughter or doctor by
telephone. Based on such conversations, smart phones equipped with
global-positioning technology might also remind them to pick up groceries
or prescriptions if they pass a particular store at a particular time. It’s
not hard to imagine that TVs, remote controls, or even coffee table tops,
can one day be the familiar mediums through which we tap into our
digitally-stored information.
Axis Communications introduces AXIS M10 Network Cameras
Axis Communications introduces AXIS M10 Network Cameras, a series of small and smart cameras, ideal for securing locations such as small businesses, boutiques, restaurants, hotels and residences. These affordable, intuitive and reliable cameras from the market leader in network video offer best-in-class image quality and professional monitoring capabilities.
“AXIS M10 Network Cameras with their functional, smart design are attractive additions to our broad range of network cameras,” says Erik Frännlid, Director of Product Management, Axis Communications. “The cameras offer a high-quality yet affordable video surveillance solution, fully taking advantage of the benefits of network video.”
All three models, AXIS M1011, AXIS M1011-W and AXIS M1031-W provide superior video quality at 30 frames per second in VGA resolution. AXIS M1011-W and AXIS M1031-W add the option of connecting over
an IEEE 802.11g wireless interface with the built-in antenna, for easy and flexible installation.
AXIS M1031-W additionally features a passive infrared (PIR) sensor for detecting movement, even in the dark, and a white LED light for illuminating the scene automatically at an event or when requested by the user. Other features include two-way audio support with an integrated microphone and speaker, allowing remote listening in on an area as well as communication with individuals directly or using uploaded or recorded audio clips.
All cameras in the AXIS M10 Series provide multiple, individually configurable, high-resolution video streams in H.264, Motion JPEG as well as MPEG-4 Part 2 at full frame rate. H.264 compression enables optimization of storage and bandwidth efficiency by significantly reducing the bit rate. Using progressive scan technology, the cameras provide VGA images of moving objects without motion blur.
AXIS M10 Network Cameras are supported by the industry’s largest base of video management software through the Axis Application Development Partner program as well as by AXIS Camera Station. The cameras will be available in January 2009 through Axis’ distribution channels.
After work casino
A PR6 site in casinos shows the importance of the site. Tens and thousands of online casino sites galore yet there is a dearth of really good informative sites on the subject. Afterworkcasino.com is a site that’s in the minority of having the distinction of a truly good site.
So what can you expect here. The site provides a great platform to play over 90 online casino games. Some of these games are either free or you can gamble for money. Gamble big and win big is the gambling philosophy and this site takes it further. The site has colossal progressive jackpots, weekly exclusive promotions and bonuses and much more. Ofcourse the usual ones like blackjack, craps, roulette, video poker, progressive slots, multi-line slots are already there.
There are four currencies to choose from Yen, Pound, Dollar and Euro. The site claims they have players from over 40 countries. They also have a free online casino download. Overall a great site.
Dublin Flights
Financial markets down, recession, job cuts and more. Travel is perhaps one of the biggest calamity in times like these with shrinking travel budgets. In such a scenario direct-flights.co.uk make a lot of economical sense. Consider the fact that dublin flights here cost less than what you can expect.Talking about Dublin did you know Dublin Airport is one of the busiest in Europe: over 90 airlines with flights from over 150 airports in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East, Canada and the USA. Well I didn’t know, this website gave that interesting snippet.
Flights to Dublin also cannot get cheaper than this if you book from this site. Reason is probably volumes and choice the site offers. They have another interesting information that Dublin Airport is the home to Ryanair means there are probably more cheap flights to Dublin than to any airport in the UK
In other words if you are looking for cheap dublin flights a site like this one makes a lot of sense. Overall a great site really welcome in times like these specially.
Payment processing system
Let’s talk about payment processing. As a company you want a payment processing partner which has flawless processing technology, great communication network, seamless integrate with your business and also great prices. In fact as a business Prodigy Payment Systems, is perhaps one of the best you can get in electronic payment processing solutions and a variety of value-added services.
What makes this company Prodigy different? Let’s talk about experience 1st. Over 70 years of experience in the electronic transaction processing industry. Now isn’t that great? How many new processing companies have that kind of experience. Besides the company also has great partnerships and great relationships with some of the industry’s best companies.
Who is the right customer for this company? They offer electronic payment processing solutions and other value-added services to small and medium-sized retail business customers throughout the United States.
To set up their solution seems quite easy at the 1st glance. They also have a live online helpline to aid their users and new customers. Now the big question? Should you accept credit cards? Now that’s a good one. Consider the fact the average American’s reliance on cash and checks for retail and Internet business transactions is continually diminishing. Plastic is in and plastic money is here to stay. Don’t believe it? Well Visa’s and MasterCard’s annual volume exceeds $210 billion dollar.
Overall a great site and seems like a payment processor with lots of value added services.
Today, the average American adult carries at least two credit cards. s.
Fallout 3 Launch Rakes in $300 Million
Worldwide sales of the popular video game Fallout 3 have earned over $300 million in just the first week since it hit the stores, according to creator Bethesda Softworks.
The company also added that around 4.7 million units have been shipped since the game made its debut on October 28 in North America. Bethesda described the popularity of the game in almost every region of the world which had helped it to achieve “record sales” and earn more than $300 million globally.
The post-apocalyptic, role playing game can be played on the Xbox 360, Play Station 3 besides being available in the PC versions. This is one of the reasons, analysts believe, why Fallout 3 has done so well compared to previous best sellers like Halo 3. Microsoft released the much-hyped first person shooter Halo 3 last year and within the first week the game went on to earn $300 million on analyst-estimated shipments of 4.2 million units. However Halo 3 could be played only on Xbox 360 whereas in case of Fallout 3, not only can the game be played on multiple platforms but the installed user bases of those platforms have increased significantly over the year.
The European release of Fallout 3 took place on October 31 and later this year Bethesda plans to launch the game in Japan on December 4.
Craigslist Takes Steps to Restrict Obscene Ads
Craigslist, the online classifieds company announced on Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Attorney Generals of 40 states under which it will restrict the listings of “erotic services”.
In a letter Earlier this year, Richard Blumenthal - the attorney general of Connecticut and representing 40 other states - wrote to Craigslist demanding that it expunge such offensive material from its site and enforce its own rules against illegal activity which includes prostitution. Sex workers have long used that particular section of classifieds on Craigslist to advertise their services. The letter from Connecticut Attorney General led to a series of negotiations between the two sides about what measures Craigslist could take to prevent the listing of such advertisements.
Under the main terms of the agreement Craigslist will now be asking the advertisers of “erotic services” to provide identification. Moreover, the classifieds company will charge such vendors a small fee for every ad - $5 to$10 - and require that they pay through credit cards. Craigslist expects this payment system to confirm the users’ identities, and believes that the mere act of authentication will work as a deterrent for such advertisers. The company further added that the money raised from such ads will be donated to charities including those working against child exploitations and human trafficking.
Google Exits From Advertising Deal with Yahoo
Google Inc walked away from a proposed advertising partnership with Yahoo in the wake continuing pressure from government regulators as well as clients.
Google said in its corporate blog that it was pulling out of the advertising partnership deal with Yahoo as even after four months of anti-trust review, regulators and some advertisers continued to express concerns about the deal. Under the terms of the deal Yahoo would hand over a share of its advertising business to Google in exchange for a share of any resulting revenue. Google chief counsel, David Drummond said in a statement that pushing ahead with the deal would have meant incurring long expensive legal battles as well as soured relationship with clients.
The break up of the proposed advertising deal with Google has left Yahoo in a critical position as it struggles to hold on to its share of the growing market for search advertising on the Internet. The fruition of the partnership deal would have landed Yahoo with hundreds of millions in advertising revenue deal. Yahoo officials responded to Google’s exit from negotiations with disappointment and maintained that the partnership would have been lucrative for all parties.
However by Wednesday afternoon share prices of Yahoo rose by more than 4 percent on hopes that the company would now restart merger negotiations with former suitor Microsoft Corp.
Atom Chip Could Cut into Intel’s Traditional Processors
Intel could witness a drop in the sale of its higher-end chips if the Atom chip is used more frequently in sub-notebooks, analysts said on Tuesday after the launch of Fujitsu’s new LifeBook U820.
Atom chips are low-priced and low-power processors that are already widely used in notebooks designed for Web surfing and other Internet-based activities like e-mailing and chatting. However with the recently-launched tablet PC from Fujitsu, the LifeBook U820, atom chips are now being used in laptops with small screens, multimedia and networking features with increasing frequency.
Except for its screen size, the mini note-book U820 comes with most of the capabilities of a traditional laptop. It is especially targeted at consumers and mobile users who are looking for touch technology. According to Kevin Wrenn, senior vice-president of PC business and operations at Fujitsu, the low cost and low power features of Atom chip proved to be major advantages over other chips when it came to deciding on the right chip for the new mini-notebook. Even upcoming laptops with screens up to 12 inches would prefer to incorporate the Atom chip, said company officials.
The fact that newer models of mini-laptops are adopting the Atom chip shows that the Atom has come of age and may offer tough competition to the more expensive chips traditionally used in laptops.
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