Snapchat links with Naughty America; Aerojet Rocketdyne explores battery storage market; Tyffon raises nearly $8 million
Aerojet Rocketdyne Explores Energy Storage
El Segundo-based defense manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. announced May 21 it will partner with Missouri-based ZAF Energy Systems Inc. to develop energy storage systems. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed but Socaltech reports the partnership will develop nickel-zinc batteries, thought to be a longer-lasting and more efficient alternative to the lead-acid batteries currently on the market.
Snapchat’s AR Lenses Just Got Dirtier
Santa Monica-based social imaging company Snap Inc.’s augmented reality “lenses” featured in its Snapchat app will now feature pornography, Variety reports. Snap’s NSFW offerings are part of a partnership with adult entertainment firm Naughty America, which will offer its 3D holograms of adult performers in the Snapchat app to existing paid Naughty America subscribers. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Variety notes Naughty America is also releasing development tools for users to create their own lenses, if desired.
Virtual reality entertainment firm Tyffon Inc., based in Santa Monica, announced May 20 it raised a $7.8 million series A, bringing its total funding since the company’s 2011 founding to $12.2 million. Tyffon develops free-roam virtual reality technology that simulates adventures such as haunted pirate ships or haunted houses. The company is a graduate of Burbank-based Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Accelerator 2014 class and s backed by Disney and Tokyo Broadcasting Systems.
Tech reporter Samson Amore can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 556-8335. Follow him on Twitter @samsonamore.
