iPad has 88% of global tablet web traffic, but Kindle Fire could start eating it

To the surprise of absolutely no one who’s been paying attention, the iPad is the clear leader in global tablet web traffic, with an astounding 88%, far greater than all Android tablets and afterthoughts like the BlackBerry PlayBook, according to Pingdom.

But while the iPad has such a sharp lead in tablet web use, almost certainly because it’s the most popular tablet, the upcoming Kindle Fire, which costs $300 less than the iPad and features … Continue Reading

Lights, camera, Klip: Social video startup raises $8M

As people’s pockets fill with camera-enabled smartphones the rush is on to be the top dog in social video sharing. Palo Alto video startup Klip announced today that it has raised $8 million in a second round of funding,  just two months after launching and raising $2 million.

The money will help Klip solidify its position against competitors such as Socialcam, recently launched by Justin.tv, or tools such as Vimessa, which let users share video … Continue Reading

Paid DLC for next 3DS update announced; Nintendo joining the future?

Nintendo of America chief executive Reggie Fils-Aime recently confirmed that the next 3DS update, which is likely to arrive next month, will finally allow for paid downloadable content (DLC), according to an article by Develop Online.

As it follows through on this promise, Nintendo will be one of the last major companies in the handheld space to move into digital distribution of paid content, competing head-to-head with Sony, Apple, and the Android Market in portable … Continue Reading

The DeanBeat: Building a better GamesBeat

For almost four years, we’ve been building out GamesBeat as VentureBeat’s game channel. We have held three annual GamesBeat conferences where the movers and shakers of the industry talk about the latest trends in games. Now we’re expanding to build an even better GamesBeat.

You’ll see a number of changes now and in the near future: New writers, new areas of coverage, more in-depth features, even deeper events coverage and a new scoring system for … Continue Reading

10 great PlayStation Network games under $5

With Apple and Android now dominating the mobile gaming market with their low price model, it is worth noting that there are also some budget priced bargains to be found on the Playstation Network Store. I have been trawling through the store for the past few days, and below you can find my pick of the games that can be grabbed for less than $5. All of these games can be played on PS3 consoles, … Continue Reading

Liquid Robotics Wave Gliders start difficult ocean journey for science

Between the bottom of a swimming pool and the surface of Mars is one frontier a robot has never crossed: the Pacific Ocean. While humans and robots have conquered land and space, relatively little is known about our oceans, yet they cover more than 70 percent of the Earth. A Sunnyvale-based startup believes its new fleet of robots could make the ocean a mystery no more

In San Francisco today, a quartet of Liquid Robotics … Continue Reading

Apple, Microsoft, and 27 other major companies are implicity supporting SOPA

While many tech companies have been vocal about their disdain for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) — a bill that is making the rounds on Capitol Hill and that could lead to unforeseen censorship on the web if passed — others like Microsoft and Apple have been mum on the subject.

Now it’s clear why: Apple, Microsoft, Adobe and 26 other tech giants are members of the Business Software Alliance, which has thrown its … Continue Reading

Modern Warfare 3 trounces Battlefield 3 in online play time

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 is blasting away at Battlefield 3 in the number of hours played, according to an analysis and survey of 10 million gamers by the Raptr gamer social network.

Raptr reports that play data collected from its gamer network shows the Call of Duty franchise still dominates the $5 billion first-person shooter market when it comes to online play. Modern Warfare 3 users have logged more total hours in their … Continue Reading

Rapid7 gets $50 million, protects you from the 369 breaches already recorded this year

Security services company Rapid7 received $50 million in its third round of funding today, led by Technology Crossover Ventures.

Rapid7′s technology locates security vulnerabilities and rates them based on heightened risk and likelihood an attack will take place. It then offers solutions for how to fix them. The company offers security products for web applications, databases and networks, in addition to “penetration” tests, to see if a program is able to get past the security … Continue Reading

First Groupon, now Yelp: Is the tech IPO window open again?

Groupon went public earlier this month. Angie’s List went public Wednesday and saw its shares surge 25 percent the following day. And on Thursday, Yelp filed for a $100 million IPO. Has the tech IPO window has opened again, and if so, how long it will stay open?

One company that could benefit from the window opening is Zynga, which is expected to go public after Thanksgiving after having waiting for its chance since June. … Continue Reading

Sega buys Spiral Knights game developer Three Rings

Sega purchased Three Rings today, the San Francisco game developer that created the Spiral Knights online game.

The acquisition is part of Sega’s “aggressive expansion into the digital space,” though it is entering that market much later than rivals such as Electronic Arts or Activision Blizzard. Currently, Three Rings is working on a TV-related online game, Doctor Who: World’s in Time.

“Three Rings has always been a studio that prides itself on the depth of … Continue Reading

Apple has Cards, Postcard on the Run has Selena Gomez

“Ummm im obsessed with the app Postcards on the Run!! I’ve been sending them like crazy lol.”

Selena Gomez, the 19 year-old pop princess, actress and girlfriend of Justin Bieber, tweeted the above approbation for the iPhone application to her 8.3 million followers two weeks ago. Today, she informed the world that she too can play the celebrity investor and advisor part, and participated in Postcard on the Run’s $750,000 round of financing.

Postcard on … Continue Reading

iPad buyers are exactly who you think they are, but with pets (infographic)

Although the $199 Kindle Fire hybrid e-reader and tablet has captured a lot of consumer attention in the last few weeks, Apple’s iPad is still the most popular and desired tablet device across the board, especially with kids. With the holiday season coming up, the likelihood of tablet purchases is greatly increased because there are so many unique options at different prices.

But which segment of the public is most likely to actually purchase an … Continue Reading

Salesforce reports $584M revenue in Q3, gearing up for $3B next year

Today, Salesforce announced its Q3 earnings, which included a record $584 in revenue — a 36 percent year-over-year increase.

The bulk of that money came from the company’s subscription and support services, which accounted for $549 million. The remainder of the company’s revenue came from its professional services and other sources, and totaled $35 million.

“Salesforce.com is the first enterprise cloud computing company to exceed a $2.3 billion annual revenue run rate,” said Salesforce chief … Continue Reading

Ford lifts the curtain on five-seater Connect Electric station wagon

Ford Motor Company yesterday announced the release of a five-seater electric station wagon developed in partnership with commercial vehicle company Azure Dynamics, according to CNET.

Based on Ford’s Transit Connect van, the five-seater Ford Transit Connect Electric Wagon will be available for sale in North America by early 2012. The announcement comes just in time for the Los Angeles Auto Show, where vehicle makers debut futuristic concept cars as well as new and exciting production … Continue Reading

Samsung Galaxy Nexus now available in UK, but still no word on US launch

The highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first phone running Android Ice Cream Sandwich, went on sale today in the U.K., but U.S. consumers are still out in the cold.

Verizon Wireless announced back in October that the Galaxy Nexus would launch before the end of the year in the U.S., and the Android faithful are tired of waiting. We almost certainly believe a U.S. launch is imminent because Verizon and Samsung will want to … Continue Reading

Hideo Kojima announces Metal Gear Solid 5 game

Rock star game developer Hideo Kojima’s next game will be Metal Gear Solid 5, he’s announced.

The available information is sketchy, but the latest issue of Official PlayStation Magazine UK says Kojima is talking about his plans for the “past, present, and future of Metal Gear Solid 5,” which include details on Metal Gear Solid 5 and Metal Gear Solid Rising. The magazine is teasing an interview with Kojima, in which he says he has … Continue Reading

Roku makes a run for the border, launching in the UK and Canada soon

Roku, the company known for its line of affordable set-top boxes, is planning to expand into U.K. and Canada, the company announced today.

The company’s set-top boxes, which range in price from $49-$99, allow people to access over 350 channels of content from video, music, social and gaming services. The move makes sense for Roku since its largest media partner, Netflix, is already available in Canada and will soon launch in the U.K.

Netflix has … Continue Reading

Angie’s List IPO leaves company valued at $801M

Angie’s List shares closed today at $3.26 above their $13 starting price, down from an $18.75 peak.

So far, the stock price has risen 25.08 percent in trading during its first day on the public market.

The stock (ticker symbol ANGI) has seen a few ups and downs so far on the NASDAQ, but it’s still trading above the initial price. The company’s initial public offering raised $130 million for the company.

The closing price … Continue Reading

Jeans too tight? Save some room and use Google Wallet at select Gap stores

What’s in your wallet? If you’ve swapped your fuddy-duddy analog money-toting accessory for Google’s more en vogue mobile wallet then you’ve got a 15 percent off coupon to the Gap hiding inside.

Google Wallet is a mobile payment and loyalty system available to folks with NFC-enabled Android devices. The alternative payment option launched to consumers in September with limited availability, and will soon compete with Isis, the mobile payment network backed by AT&T, T-Mobile and … Continue Reading