Singapore-based mobile social network for voice Bubbly is in talks with interested partners, including one gaming company, over a possible acquisition, according to the firm's chief executive officer.
Mobile/Wireless
Digital ad spending by US retailers to rise this year- report
US retailers will spend more on digital advertising this year. According to an eMarketer report, retailers will increase their budgets by 15.7% to USD 9.50 billion for ads on the mobile space.
"Music Pass" in Android YouTube app hints at Google's music subscription service
In its APK Teardown of the Android YouTube app, the website Android Police found "Music Pass" that hints of a possible launch of a YouTube music subscription service.
Chinese taxi app Kuaidadi gains traction with USD100 million investment and new acquisition
China's mobile-based taxi booking service Kuaidadi confirmed it recently received a USD100 million investment from Alibaba, and has acquired a Shanghai-based taxi booking app called Dahuangfeng.
US ranks 31st in Internet speed list, nationwide Google Fiber network to cost USD11 billion
According to Speedtest.net, 30 countries including Moldova and Uruguay have faster Internet than the United States. Google Inc. has began building its fiber network in Kansas. A nationwide Google Fiber rollout, however, may cost USD1 billion.
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Boulder, Colorado-based tech startup Revolv raised USD4 million in a funding round led by The Foundry Group to add support for more devices and hire more employees.
In its first acquisition, US-based journalism startup Byliner purchased mobile developer Seesaw Decisions for an undisclosed amount, but has not yet confirmed its plan for Seesaw.
California-based private messaging app Wickr had redesigned and is in the middle of a USD7.4 million fundraising, according to a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) today.
Prompt.ly, a startup that provides a mobile-based SaaS platform for "The Invisible Economy" of service providers has received USD 1.5 million in seed funds from Facebook's Ethan Beard, Subtraction Capital and other investors.
Palo Alto, California-based digital magazine app Flipboard might be raising an additional USD50 million in funding as continuation to its first USD50 million capital, according to sources cited in a Fortune report.
The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported on Monday including Greece banking, Fiat, BOFA, Mechel, Saputo, RBS, Lohmann, Carlyle Group, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Kuwait Airways, Dubai Holding, SunEdison, Blackstone, Greece National Bank, IMG Worldwide, KKR, Babcock, AMR, Orrick, BAC and Fisker Automotive.
Microsoft Corp. is set to secure a European Union (EU) approval for its proposed USD7.3 billion takeover of Nokia's mobile phone business. Regulators from various countries had already given the green light to the deal.
The US Department of Justice objected to four restructuring plans put forth by bankrupt LightSquared and its creditors. The objection will be discussed at a bankruptcy court hearing on December 10 in Manhattan.
Brian Fung, in his report which appeared on The Switch at The Washington Post, said the world is moving away from true mobile payments as evidenced by the presence of plastic card offerings from various companies.
