VentureBeat

Roundup: Google sees results in Washington, sex offenders out of MySpace, Motorola’s big loss and more

Here’s the latest action:

Google is making friends in Washington — After Microsoft and AT&T’s lobbying power killed its Yahoo search deal, Google has proven to be the quick study in politics and now seems to have friends in high places…the highest places, the White House. The Wall Street Journal breaks it all down.

Sex offenders no longer welcome on MySpace — The social network banned some 90,000 of them — so they moved to Facebook? That’s what a… Continue Reading

Shidonni launches a site that brings kids’ drawings to life

Shidonni has a clever idea that could help it stand out in the growing market for kids’ virtual worlds. The company launched a site this week that can bring the drawings of children to life. If your child draws a dog, for instance, Shidonni’s software can make that dog move, dance and beg for food.

The site lets kids (ages four to 12) be as creative as they want to be. They can draw as many… Continue Reading

[Update] Confirmed: T-shirt site CafePress buys art marketplace Imagekind

Update: Imagekind has confirmed the purchase.

Imagekind, an online marketplace for original and reprinted artwork, has been bought by online t-shirt and gift seller CafePress, a reliable source tells us, with rival Zazzle losing out on the deal. We hear the acquisition price may have been between $15 million and $20 million, although we’re still looking for confirmation on the amount.

While these days there are seemingly countless sites that let you design and sell your own… Continue Reading

Zazzle acquires Confego, a software that allows companies to customize products

Zazzle, a Redwood City, Calif. company that gives users a way to personalize products like apparel, posters, U.S. Postage and greeting cards online, and then sell them, has acquired Confego for an undisclosed amount.

Confego, based in Berkeley, Calif., lets big companies like Reebok customize apparel, bags and footwear from the ground up using Confego’s software. In a statement, the companies said Confego has “perfected” the manufacturing and fulfillment process, allowing delivery of custom shoes in… Continue Reading