ChaCha may drop T-Mobile over planned fee
Wireless carrier plans to begin charging a new one-quarter of 1 cent fee on text messages. In response, ChaCha CEO Scott Jones says his company will drop the wireless carrier from its answer service.
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Enforcement lax on teen-driver mobile-phone ban
Indiana State Police report ticketing only one driver for violating the cell phone ban, and a state agency that tracks infractions
for 160 police departments could find just two other citations.
International Violin Competition of Indianapolis releases iPhone app for virtual front seat
The app will feature news, past laureate recordings, videos and access to the 2010 schedule, IVCI officials said.
300,000-plus consumers take shine to Apple’s iPad
The glitzy gadget maker says it sold hundreds of thousands of iPads on Saturday, the day they debuted for more than $499 a
pop.
Local racing-simulator firm declares bankruptcy
Indianapolis-based Interactive Motorsports and Entertainment Corp., which went public in 2002, has filed for Chapter 11 reorganization.
High-end audio firm Indy Audio Labs powers up with new hires
An upstart audio products company with offices at Purdue Research Park at AmeriPlex has brought in big guns to launch sales.
Brightpoint quarterly estimate below expectations
Cell phone distributor predicts fourth-quarter results below analyst estimates, sending shares down in aftermarket activity.
Massive CEDIA Expo returning to city after 5-year break
The locally based Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association will bring its fall trade show back to Indianapolis
in 2011 and 2012—making good on a promise to return after a $275 million expansion of the Indiana Convention Center.
Video surveillance legal in Hoosier state, but beware lawsuits
Most states–Indiana included–have no law on the books banning video surveillance in homes or businesses. However, anyone
considering using a hidden camera should consider the potential to be sued under the state’s well-developed privacy law.
Vonage to settle investigation involving 32 states
Internet phone service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. will pay $3 million to 32 states, including Indiana, and provide refunds
to affected customers.
Speaker-maker Klipsch making noise in earphone niche
Making money in earphones will require higher sales volumes, but Klipsch CEO Fred Klipsch thinks there are plenty more consumers
left for his company to tap.
HAUKE: Apple faces competition in mobile phone wars
For a while, everyone seemed to think the iPhone was unassailable, but Motorola, Google and Verizon are about to give it their best shot. And investors are placing their bets now.
Carmel man’s coupon app for iPhone grabbing Yowza response
A Carmel software developer’s app has gotten a lift from a Hollywood actor’s unrelenting promotion.
Whirlpool agrees to maintain Evansville operations
Whirlpool Corp. has notified state officials that it will continue to operate its refrigeration product development center
in Evansville that employs nearly 300 people.
London hedge fund sues Brightpoint over failed acquisition
A London-based hedge fund has sued Brightpoint Inc. over a $10 million loan it alleges the Indianapolis-based cell phone distributor
fraudulently brokered in anticipation of an acquisition in France that never materialized.
Indy Audio Labs wiring for relaunch of high-end home theater brands
Two former Klipsch Group engineers plan to return to the market a brand of amplifiers famous among audio enthusiasts. Indy
Audio Labs, owned by Rick Santiago and Ted Moore, bought the Aragon and Acurus brands of amps, pre-amps and sound processors
from Klipsch and are planning a
2010 launch.
Bluefish Wireless launches unit to help firms manage wireless-phone expenses
Mobi Wireless is targeting medium-size to large companies needing more control of wireless expenses
and fewer internal resources dedicated to the task.
Brightpoint prices offering of 15 million shares
Wireless device distributor Brightpoint Inc. said today it has priced 15 million shares of a previously announced stock offering
at $5 each.
Carmel tech firm takes coupons into digital era
Carmel-based mobile marketer Tetherball has deployed a program using
a radio frequency identification device that can measure in detail to what extent customers redeem loyalty and rewards offers.
Gregg landing in prime spots abandoned by failed retailers Circuit City, Linens & Things
Electronics retailer HHGregg Inc. has snapped up at least a dozen former Circuit City and Linens & Things locations in six states and is eyeing more of the empty big boxes in an opportunistic move toward expansion.