Tech News

Pasadena-based robotics technology firm Evolution Robotics has scored another $13.88M in venture funding, the firm disclose today. Evolution Robotics said the funding was led by CMEA Ventures, and also included Vodafone Ventures, Idealab, and the Quercus Trust. Faysal Sohail of CMEA will join the firm's board along with the funding. Evolution Robotics develops technology for the robotics market, including image recognition, navigation systems, and other control software. The company's software is being used for both research and instructional use in universities, and is also being licensed by other firms for commercial use. READ MORE>> Tags: research, software, technology

Apple appears to be having trouble keeping its new iPhone 3G in stock in the U.S., as reports suggest few phones were available in Apple's stores.

The problem appears to be exacerbated by the simultaneous launch of the iPhone 3G across international markets. Another factor driving demand is likely because exclusive carrier AT&T is offering subsidies on the iPhone 3G, making the price considerably less than when the first-generation iPhone launched.

Severe Shortages

An Apple fan site reported severe shortages in California and New York. It said only one store in California had stock on hand, and that was limited to the black 16GB model. It also said Apple's 5th Avenue store was the only outlet in New York with stock, limited to the white 16GB model.

The Web site for the Apple Retail Store has a tool to check iPhone availability at Apple's stores in the U.S., but it appeared to be disabled Monday and a notice advised visitors to return after 9 p.m. Reportedly, last week only 13 Apple stores had all three iPhone 3G models in stock, and on Sunday no stores had all the models. Those models are the black 8GB, the white 16GB, and the black 16GB versions.

AT&T stores began running out of stock just four days after the July 11 launch for the iPhone 3G. AT&T says the average wait time for the iPhone 3G is now about three weeks.

There were also problems on launch day, with AT&T reporting in-store iPhone 3G activations were stopped at about 9:30 a.m. Eastern time because of issues with the iTunes 7.7 software needed to configure the device. AT&T then recommended that customers activate the smartphones at home.

Michael Gartenberg, an analyst at JupiterResearch, noted that the July 11 launch started in New Zealand and was to continue on to California as stores... Tags: research, software

San Diego-based Websense Inc. was deemed a front-runner in the data leak prevention market by top-tier industry research firm Forrester Research. In its second quarter 2008 report on DLP released this month, Cambridge, Mass.-based Forrester ranked Websense and Reconnex Corp. of Mountain View highest across 74 criteria, including market presence and product offerings.

Websense, with corporate headquarters in Sorrento Valley, is an integrated Web, messaging and data protection company. It employs 1,200 workers.

Websense captured a lead in the market for its balance of product capabilities and solid marketing, said Forrester Senior Analyst Thomas Raschke.

Stephen Brunetto, product manager for Websense, said many chief technology officers use Forrester reports as key sources for buying and decision-making.

"Customers use it to find out who the big players are," said Brunetto. "It is a very positive step for us to be named a leader in this report."

Leo Cole, vice president of marketing for Websense, said research in the report shows that preventing data loss is an integral part of corporate security strategies and broader information management initiatives.

During the last 18 months, few technology areas in security and risk management have seen as much level of attention as data leak prevention, according to Forrester.

New Software Release

Websense plans to release an updated software solution in the third quarter. The new version of Websense's Data Security Suite will protect data in motion (sensitive information sent over the Internet), data at rest (information on servers, hard drives and laptops) and now data while in use.

The Forrester report conducted product evaluations in January and interviewed 12 vendors and more than 30 customers, including Code Green Networks Inc. of Sunnyvale, McAfee Inc. of Santa Clara and Verdasys Inc. of Waltham, Wash.

Websense clients include Sallie Mae, Altura Credit Union in Riverside and San Diego-based Intuit Inc. Tags: research, software, technology