Connect with us on Facebook

Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.

Mass High Tech

Amazon Blog
TOP CLICKS

Top 10 stories in January: Dilbert, Microsoft layoffs and others

Amazon.comAMZNEarningsEconomyMicrosoftMSFTNewspapers

January is nearing an end. But before the month closes out, we wanted to share the top 10 most read stories on TechFlash. It was a busy month, from Microsoft layoffs to the Minecode scandal to news that Hearst may pull the plug on the Seattle P-I. February is shaping up as an interesting month, and we'll continue to cover our beats in full force. Thanks to everyone for reading.

Online file storage from ... Dilbert?

Laid-off Microsofties offered free office space, linux servers

Microsoft: Mac Office use is 77%

HIRING

Amazon.com posts its biggest job growth since dot-com boom

Amazon.comAMZNe-commerceHiringSeattle

The good news keeps coming from Amazon.com. After surprising Wall Street with a stellar fourth quarter, the Seattle-based Internet retailer disclosed in its annual regulatory filing late Friday that its employment had risen to 20,700 people as of the end of last month. That translates into net growth of 3,700 people -- the company's biggest annual jump in nearly a decade.

SOCIAL NETWORKS

Jambool builds platform for buying virtual goods

Amazon.comAMZNe-commerceFacebookMySpaceSocial NetworkingStartupsVenture DealsWeb 2.0

Jambool, a Seattle startup founded by two former Amazon.com engineers, started out developing applications for Facebook. Now it's broadening its business -- building an entire payments platform for social networks.

The company's SocialGold platform allows people to buy virtual goods and currencies on social networks, and gives application developers a dashboard to trace payment data. The platform works with PayPal, Amazon, Google and via mobile phone in more than three dozen countries.

RUMOR ALERT

Is the next-generation Kindle coming out February 9?

Amazon.comAMZNInnovationKindle

Will the next version of the Kindle be released February 9? TechFlash and other media received an email invitation for an "important Amazon.com press conference" that day at the The Morgan Library & Museum in New York -- and speculation is growing that the company will unveil Kindle 2.0 at the event.

Rumors have circulated about the latest version of the electronic book reader ever since Amazon.com sold out of the original version before Christmas.

VENTURE CAPITAL

Bezos-backed ChaCha, Twitter reportedly raising venture rounds

Amazon.comInternet searchJeff BezosStartupsWeb

Two startups backed by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos are reportedly raising new rounds of capital. TechCrunch reports that Twitter -- the popular microblogging service -- is raising a new round at a $250 million valuation. Meanwhile, PEHub.com -- citing a regulatory filing -- says that Indiana search startup ChaCha has raised $11 million of a $30 million round. Bezos invested in Twitter last summer through his Bezos Expeditions fund, while he got involved with ChaCha in early 2007.

SEATTLE TECH

Seattle's technology universe: 781 'planets' and counting

Amazon.comMicrosoftSeattleVenture capitalVideo gamesWeb

What does it take to map the Seattle region's high-tech universe? A lot of time, effort and research.

At least that's the experience of Washington Technology Industry Association President Ken Myer, whose organization embarked on an ambitious journey about a year ago to map hundreds of high-tech companies in the region and their connections to one another. 

The result of that project -- led by Virginia Tech researcher Heike Mayer -- is a fascinating poster and Web site showing 781 companies from the region scattered across a virtual universe. Anchoring the poster are six of Seattle's technology pillars: Microsoft, Amazon.com, Aldus, McCaw Cellular, Boeing and the University of Washington. Microsoft -- represented by a yellow 'planet' at the center of the poster -- is by far the biggest solar system, with four rings and dozens of companies connected to it.

The WTIA will debut the poster and Web site at a Thursday morning reception in Seattle. Tom Alberg of Madrona Venture Group and Ed Lazowska of the University of Washington -- who played a role in a good share of the companies on the poster and were instrumental in its development -- will be on hand to share some of the early war stories of the Seattle tech region. TechFlash is a media sponsor of the Puget Sound Tech Universe.

LOOK AHEAD

'09 VC predictions: Amazon to acquire eBay and other gems

Amazon.comArch Venture PartnersGoogleIgnition PartnersIPOsMadronaMergers and acquisitionsMicrosoftTechnologyVancouverVenture capital

Julie Rosien

Venture capitalists are paid big bucks to see around corners and figure out what is coming next. So, what are they predicting for 2009? Yesterday, we heard from four Seattle area venture capitalists who shared their thoughts on everything from an Amazon.com purchase of eBay to the continued erosion of Google's stock.

Today, we're hearing the predictions of five others: Bill McAleer of Voyager Capital; Matt McIlwain of Madrona Venture Group; Robert Nelsen of Arch Venture Partners; Brad Silverberg of Ignition Partners; and Steven Hnatiuk of Yaletown Venture Partners. (Our lone Canadian)

ROUNDUP

Yahoo in play; Redfin's numbers; Microsoft in S. Lake union, etc.

Amazon.comBuddyTVClearwireCloud computingF5Mergers and acquisitionsMicrosoftMobile communicationsStartupsTechnologyVenture capitalVideo gamesVulcanYahoo

Could Microsoft finance a Yahoo buyout involving Silicon Valley executives and investment banks? That's the concept being floated by TechCrunch in the latest chapter of the saga. The complex financial deal would be financed by Microsoft debt to the tune of about $20 billion, TechCrunch reports, citing sources with knowledge of the proposed transaction. To be clear, it doesn't appear as if Microsoft is involved in the talks at this point, with TechCrunch reporting that the deal "absolutely hinges on their involvement." Pipe dream or reality?

Despite the troubles in the economy, The New York Observer finds that Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen continues to spend $384,000 a week maintaining his 414-foot yacht The Octopus. Meanwhile, since we are speaking of $200 million yachts, The New York Social Diary clears the record for incorrectly reporting that Allen's big boat dumped garbage at sea while in Capri a few years ago. [More after the jump]

ROUNDUP

Agilent cuts staff; M2E's new CEO; Obama and blist; etc.

Amazon.comEconomyLayoffsLife sciencesPolitics

Agilent Technologies of Santa Clara, Calif., which makes electronic and bioanalytic test and measurement products, said in a pre-Christmas announcement that it planned to cut 800 jobs from its global workforce. Those layoffs now appear to be rippling through Washington. The state sent out a notification of Agilent's plans to cut 120 jobs in Liberty Lake, Wash., effective Jan. 30, 2009. An Agilent corporate spokeswoman referred calls to a company representative in Washington, who could not immediately be reached for comment.

Amazon.com is lining up to tap the surge of interest in President-elect Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration. The company launched an inauguration-themed online store with big-screen TVs and digital recorders for those watching at home, fur-lined hats for those braving the winter cold in Washington, D.C., and Obama action figures and other patriotic paraphernalia. [More after the jump]

TOP TEN

The top 10 stories of 2008: Count Me In, iPhone apps, bgC3

Amazon.comBad newsBill GatesCloud computingCount Me InMicrosoftTechFlash

Since the debut of TechFlash in late October, we've tried our best to bring you the most compelling stories about the Pacific Northwest technology community. It's been a fun ride and we look forward to continuing the coverage in the new year.  But, first, here's a look back at the most read stories on TechFlash 0f 2008.* What do you like reading? Scoops, scandals and Microsoft executives who quit.

Bill Gates' mysterious new company
-- Months after leaving his full time gig at Microsoft the software billionaire forms a new entity called bgC3, described in trademark filings as a "think tank."

Turn your iPhone into a credit card terminal with a $49.99 application
-- Derek Del Conte shows off an entirely new way to use the iPhone, turning it into a mobile credit card processing terminal.

TechFlash Team

ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR FOR DIGITAL MEDIA: MICHELE MATASSA FLORES
206-876-5421
INTERIM EDITOR: GREG LAMM
206-876-5435
CONTRIBUTING WRITER: AISLYN GREENE
206-963-3134
INTERN: ANTHONY JAMES
206-876-5441
PUBLISHER: GORDON PROUTY
206-876-5402
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING: JOE HESLET
206-876-5447
TECH JOBS: MICHAEL WALL
206-876-5448
STORY TIPS
SUBMIT AN EVENT

Recent Sponsor Posts

Who's creating today's energy efficient buildings? Find out at the BetterBricks Awards, Feb. 16

BetterBricks Awards salute the individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Join us as we recognize these standout green building professionals.

Award categories include: Advocate; Architect/Designer; Facility Manager/Operator; and Owner/Developer.

Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kampschroer, Director of U.S. GSA's Office of Federal High Performance Buildings. Kevin leads the U.S. General Services Administration's efforts in building sustainability and accelerating industry adoption of sustainable principles across all aspects of a building's life.

Register here by February 10!

If you are interested in buying a table, email Monica Alquist or call her at 206-876-5404.

The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"

Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.

Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.

The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music

"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins

Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.

Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?

BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:

• Increased client confidence

• Improved competitive advantage

• Minimization of frequent audits

• Streamlined business processes and controls

• Enhanced risk management

For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.

From the trenches

Mike Arcuri
Why Vibrant Chocolate made perfect sense as my next venture
Lara Albert
How data, or lack thereof, can make or break daily deals sites
Alex Castro
Silicon Valley wants our dev talent and why that's not a bad thing
John Marick
Guest Post: Why it's wrong to block AT&T’s bid for T-Mobile
Kevin O’Keefe
A 'legal rebel' helping lawyers blog without advertising

TechFlash In Person

Startup Q&A: IP Street looks to bring clarity to patents
Q&A: Zumobi’s John SanGiovanni on the future of apps
Q&A: Cozi CEO Robbie Cape on keeping families organized
Decide's Mike Fridgen on getting the best prices on tech
Q&A: Numera|Social's Yates on making healthy living social