VENTURE CAPITAL POST

Engineers of California, US-based on-demand Internet streaming service Netflix hacked a Fitbit activity tracking device and activated a feature that auto-pauses the video when the watcher falls asleep and allows him to resume watching when he wakes up.

Mountain View, US-based investment firm 500 startups organized Rainbow Round, a monthly meeting where members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community from the tech sector can talk about their interests and struggles.

US-based search giant Google got mocked by several netizens yesterday after it launched the Scraper Report, a tool that fights content stealing, because according to them, the company itself is practicing web scraping.

Chicago, US-based firm Savor is putting together an online deals aggregator app for iPad that personalizes coupons according to the user's likes interest and organizes offers into catalogs for easier browsing.

New York City, US-based messaging app Flyby becomes the first consumer-facing app to use the image recognition technology in Google's 3D mapping project called Project Tango to let users attach text and video messages to objects in the real world.

California, US-based next generation fitness tracking device Moov attained its $40,000 target within just 90 minutes and will begin shipping the pre-ordered product by summer this year.

Redmond, US-based tech giant Microsoft is mulling over launching a free version of the Windows 8.1 OS (operating system) or selling it for a very low price, according to a report by The Verge.

San Francisco, US-based Internet radio startup 8tracks, a music service that is not yet widely known but already has 8 million active users, provides unique and awesome playlists and successfully maintains its profitability at the same time.

Donna, the personal assistant app made by San Francisco, US-based mobile app creator Incredible Labs, is retiring starting February 28, just a month after search giant Yahoo acqui-hired the company.

US-based e-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly in talks with big music companies about plans to offer its own music streaming service under it Prime membership, according to a report by Re/code citing anonymous industry sources familiar with the discussions.

Florida, US-based insurance brokerage investor AssuredPartners Inc completed the purchase of Lexington, Kentucky-based insurance firm Creech & Stafford Insurance Agency Inc for an undisclosed amount.

Stamford, Connecticut-based private consulting firm CBP bought Warren, New Jersey-based employee group benefits firm Beacon Financial Group (BFG) and has taken a majority stake in Beacon Retiree Benefits Group (BRBG) for an undisclosed sum.

Waltham, US-based venture capital fund Matrix Partners invested an undisclosed amount in Chennai, India-based micro and small business financing firm Five Star Business Credits Ltd (FSBC).

Burbank, US-based movie giant Warner Bros Studios is in talks with Stockholm, Switzerland-based indie game developer Mojang to make a movie based on the popular video game Minecraft, according to a Twitter post made by Mojang founder Markus Persson.

San Antonio, Texas-based diversified holding firm Biglari Holdings Inc, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, bought New York, US-based men's magazine brand MAXIM for an undisclosed sum.