Feb 06
Folks, it looks like we’ll be seeing a cartoon edition of Angry Birds soon. Rovio‘s Chief Executive Officer, Mikael Hed, told the Wall Street Journal that the company is planning to release a series of short, animated episodes based on the popular Angry Birds video game characters this spring. The news isn’t surprising. If you can still recall, we reported last year that an Angry Birds cartoon series is underway, and a possible fall release is expected. Obviously it didn’t happen, forcing us to abandon the idea. Mikael Hed‘s confirmation is a breathe of fresh air. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Wedding Entertainment System – wedding invitation like a boss!, Xbox 360 turned into an aquarium, 
Google is on a roll. The latest buyout is Channel Intelligence, a consolidated company owned by the ICG Group. Via press release, ICG Group announced today that Channel Intelligence has signed a definitive agreement with Google for $125 million “in cash.” ICG Group says that the buyout process is expected to be finished in Q1 this year. Appearing to be transparent, ICG Group added that it is expected to receive $60.5 million, and that a portion of the proceeds will be escrowed. In case you didn’t know, Channel Intelligence specializes in product e-commerce, and is offering a wide variety of marketing and shopping services to online retailers including Best Buy and Staples. 
It looks like Skype users in Russia can now purchase additional credits for making calls around the world. Apparently Skype has entered into a partnership with mobile billing company Mach to come up with a new mobile payment option in at least three markets, for now. Russia will be the first to support the feature. The U.S. and Canada are expected to follow soon. Using Mach’s direct operator billing service, Skype users will be able to buy Skype credits from their mobile devices through a browser-based transaction that is secure and convenient. 
The rumors were spot on. Earlier today, we reported that 
Amazon is announcing a new virtual currency for U.S. customers to purchase apps, games, and in-app items on Kindle Fire. Enter Amazon Coins, Amazon’s virtual currency that is expected to be launched sometime in May this year. For Amazon customers, obvious benefits of the virtual currency are speed and ease, particularly in terms of payments. For developers, it means more opportunities to drive traffic and downloads, which of course means better monetization. When Amazon Coins launches in the U.S. this May, Amazon will give customers tens of millions of dollars’ worth of free Amazon Coins to spend on developers’ apps on Kindle Fire in the Amazon Appstore. Amazon will also make it quick and easy for customers to buy additional Amazon Coins using their Amazon accounts.
Developer François Beaufort posted something very interesting on Google+ earlier today. As you can see in the screenshot above, there appears to be a new feature for rich notifications on Google’s Chrome OS. A closer look will reveal notifications for messages, calls, Google+, and more. It even resembles a little of Google Now’s capabilities. Beaufort also pointed out a new app pinned to the launcher. 
After 
Sony has announced a new initiative that aims to help educators “successfully and easily” use mobile devices in the classroom. To do that, Sony’s latest program, dubbed as the K-12 Education Initiative, will be providing services to schools as well as access to tablets and other mobile devices at a special price. Services will include a real-time online community where in teachers and administrators can use resources that are regularly updated by a network of distinguished educators. 
I am very sure that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s intention to be the first person to be sent into space via their fledgling space programme will be hailed with anticipation by different people all around, regardless on which side of the political divide that they are on. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was quoted by state media as saying, “I’m ready to be the first Iranian to be sacrificed by the scientists of my country and go into space.”
