Technology, Startup | featured news

The Walt Disney Company became Hollywood's leading player in the booming social gaming business on Tuesday with the purchase of Playdom in a deal valued at $763.2 million.

Apple has purchased chip start-up Intrinsity whose technology analysts say was behind the chip used in the new iPad.

China's vast and growing number of web users is driving demand for tech services. In a crowded office in suburban Beijing, a dozen young computer programmers are busy trying to make their first million with an Internet startup.

Digital Sky Technologies, the Russian venture capital firm that has invested $400 million in Facebook, has apparently made an offer to buy a piece of Chatroulette, the webcam network where you can chat with random strangers. According to Spiegel Online, DST made an offer to 17-year-old Andrey Ternovskiy to buy a piece of his booming website. He has yet to say yes though, as he is traveling to the U.S. to speak with American venture capitalists before taking any investment.

Google has acquired DocVerse, a technology start-up that allows people to collaborate on Microsoft Office files online, for about $25 million.

Facebook appears to have made a third acquisition — this one smaller than its two previous buys. What’s more, Facebook has shut down the company’s service immediately.