Activision debuts game companion app; Snap’s Sehn launches data service startup; mapping LA’s tech neighborhoods
Former Snap Executive Launches Liquidata
Timothy Sehn, formerly vice president of engineering at Snap Inc., launched Nov. 2 a new startup in Venice called Liquidata. Socaltech reports Liquidata will offer “data as a service,” perhaps following in Snap’s footsteps in collecting and monetizing its vast cache of user information. At the time of Snap’s IPO, Sehn’s stake in the company was worth $110 million; he resigned in December.
Silicon Beach Office Space Remains Alluring
The Hollywood Reporter’s latest infographic report analyzes the shifts in technology companies’ commercial real estate occupancy in West Los Angeles, including Amazon.com Inc., Snap Inc., Riot Games and Apple Inc. The report charts tech companies’ locations in Silicon Beach neighborhoods such as Venice, Santa Monica and Play Vista, as well as some inland moves to Culver City, Mar Vista and Fox Hills.
Activision Debuts Game Companion Smartphone App
Players of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard Inc.’s popular new “Black Ops IV” video game can now analyze their digital soldiers’ every movement on their smartphones in what is likely a bid to keep users engaged after a popular release, Engadget reports. Designed for every mode of “Black Ops,” the app will send player weekly performance reports as well as view friends’ statistics (a chat mode is reportedly coming soon). The app is available on iOS and Android devices.
