Russian search engine Yandex has confirmed in a statement that its just-released Wonder app has been blocked by Facebook. The social recommendation tool that draws information from users of Facebook, Instagram, Foursquare and Twitter in the US was only online for some three hours before Facebook blocked access to its API. “We confirm Wonder app …
RZD, the Russian state-owned railways monopoly, has just launched a free mobile app offering train schedules and allowing travelers to purchase electronic tickets. A click-to-call function allows users to reach the company’s call center easily. In contrast with the appalling usability of the company’s website, RZD’s mobile app, which we tested, is quite convenient. A few …
J’son & Partners, a management consultancy covering telecom and IT markets in Russia and other countries, has released a report on Russia’s small but rapidly-expanding mobile social networks market. The popularity of mobile social networks is growing in Russia in the same way as elsewhere in the world, the report notes, driven by the increasing …
Mobile social networks attract 12.5 million Russian users Read More
Futubra, a microblogging service with advanced multimedia, news group and comment functions, is closing down less than a year after its launch in early 2012. The termination announcement on the Futubra website contains no substantial explanation; however, Mail.ru Group CEO Dmitry Grishin had publicly conceded this past July that Futubra’s audience was not meeting expectations.
While venture funds are springing up in Moscow, one small fund in particular should not go unnoticed. Established just two months ago, Cloud4Auto focuses specifically on automotive technologies – a unique case in the world, the Chairman of the fund’s Supervisory Board, Innokenty Belotsky, told East West Digital News. “Cars are a very important part …
New seed fund helps startups “change the way cars are sold and serviced” Read More
Оpera Software, whose mobile browser stands as the most popular in Russia, is about to launch a paid musical offer designed specifically for the Russian market. Artem Zinoviev, Opera’s Development Director for Russia and the CIS, told the Russian business daily Vedomosti that the new service will be made available for approximately 150 rubles, or …
ClipClock, a Russian video sharing startup, announced yesterday a $2.5 million funding by Runa Capital, a Moscow-based venture fund operating internationally. The investment will be used to develop advanced functionalities, increase the startup’s user base, and prepare global expansion.
Softline Venture Partners told East-West Digital News that it has just invested $500,000 in Apps4all, a company that carries a community of Russian mobile app developers with a variety of media, event, training, research and advertising activities. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. A $20 million fund, Softline Venture Partners is the venture …
Softline Venture Partners invests in mobile app developer community Read More
Shopping platform ShoppingPlus, a copycat of Germany’s KaufDA and a competitor of Lokata.ru on the Russian market, is experimenting with connected TV, having made its service available to users of LG’s Smart TV. Just like Lokata.ru, ShoppingPlus shows the products currently sold in stores and their prices, as well as special offers. It also lists …
ShoppingPlus teams up with LG for Smart TV shopping Read More
Igor Matsanyuk, a prominent figure in the Russian Internet and online game industry, and now the owner of Imi.vc, a Russian venture capital firm that funds innovative mobile apps, has invested $4 million in Narr8, Russian IT portal CNews.ru reported last week. Founded by former Mail.ru VP Alexander Vashchenko, Narr8 is a producer of comic book-based …
Narr8 raises $4 million to animate Russian and US tablets Read More
MTS, a leading Russian mobile operator and retailer, has announced plans to bring special, radio-enabled wrist straps to the Russian market by the end of this year. The electronic bracelets will help users obtain unaided health checkups and obtain professional medical advice remotely. This telemedicine-supporting device, called ‘Opeka,’ has been designed by a private-public partnership …
MTS engages in telemedicine; SIM chip powered straps to safeguard health Read More
This week, the Russian startup scene has witnessed the launch of a new concept that could potentially target half a billion users around the world: Twistock.com, a site that transforms Twitter social influence into virtual stock value and ultimately material value. Upon registration, Twistock users receive a certain amount of virtual money, or starting capital, …
Singapore-funded Russian startup turns Twitter accounts into stock exchange value Read More
