Highlights: Last week on Philly Tech News (4/2/2012 to 4/8/2012)

Dell had a busy week, announcing three acquisitions, one of which, thin client vendor Wyse Technology, may directly impact King of Prussia-based Devon IT's OEM relationship with Dell. I profiled Devon IT, speaking with its Pesident, Joe Makoid, and looked at both its upside and downside prospects.

I looked at New Hope-based, myYearbook parent company Quepasa's decision announced last week to rebrand under the name MeetMe.

First Round Capital appears to be adding more resources to support its portfolio companies, last week announcing that Jack Leidlein had joined the firm as its new Head of Talent.

WorldGate, a Bensalem-based pioneer in interactive TV that later tried to pivot to video phones, finally gave up the ghost by filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, an outcome anticipated as the company had virtually ceased operations some time ago. Founded in 1995, WorldGate listed debts of $50 million.

SAP AG celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding with commemorative activities and a neat 60 second video timeline. Meanwhile, SAP's North American President based in Newtown Square, Robert Courteau, left the company after 15 months in the position. No explanation was immediately offered.

Wayne-based SunGard Availability Services announced it was getting into the Hadoop game, with a new service that gives users on-demand access to the big data processing platform.

The University of Pennsylvania will lead a $10 million National Science Foundation project aimed at automating more of the computer programming process.

paidContent looked at Invite Media one year after its acquisition by Google.

Comcast and other cable and media companies are asking the FCC to allow them to take steps that would disable Boxee's current method of streaming video.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners (Southeastern Pennsylvania) said it is seeking applicants for the next batch of "Project Liberty" startup ventures. Applications are due April 27.


Quote of the week: Oracle's President and CFO Safra Catz: "We are the cloud. Very few of these cloud companies are running on anything but our platforms. We don’t need the credit. You can’t start your day except in a cave without hitting Oracle a thousand times."

One wonders if she is on the same drugs Larry Ellison said SAP was on.


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Daily Links 4/10/2012: SAP reveals database, mobile roadmaps through 2015, acquires mobile development firm

Philly-based Medical tech firm eResearch being sold for $400M (AP via Business Week)

Comcast Xfinity On Demand rolling out to TiVo Premiere subscribers in SF Bay Area (The Verge)

The cable industry isn’t stupid, right? (Gigaom)

Comcast to test IPTV network at MIT (FierceCable)

SAP reveals database, mobile roadmaps through 2015 (ZDNet Blogs)

SAP Lays out Plans to Become Big Player in Databases, Mobile (PC World)

SAP to Acquire Syclo, Extends Leadership in Mobilizing the Enterprise (PR Newswire)

SAP Buys Leading Enterprise Mobile Development Shop and Announces $155 Million Startup Fund (SiliconAngle)

HP to offer cloud-based computing service (San Jose Mercury News)

TE Connectivity to sell touch screen, pro service for $403M (Central Penn Business Journal)
TE Connectivity has its operational headquarters in Berwyn and substantial business units in Central Pennsylvania.

IAB's New Ad Formats Offer Tech Support for 'Skippable' Ads
Standards Will Allow More Publishers to Bring Ad-Skipping to Video (Ad Age)
Good for Solve Media's new offering.

Are you an indie, angel or venture company? (Gabriel Weinberg's Blog)
On current valuations.



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