ANOBII
E-books are a sensitive subject for traditional publishers. On the one hand they see the digital transition as crucial to reviving struggling businesses. On the other hand they view the internet with an old-fashioned mindset, refusing to alter established practices to suit a new medium. E-book pricing is just one example. But two things this week suggest things may be starting to change. First, Random House altered its e-book stance to appease Apple. Secondly, the industry as a whole got behind a book-focused social networking site called aNobii. Admittedly HarperCollins, Penguin and Random House have only taken minor stakes in the firm, with HMV (which owns Waterstones) investing in a 45% share. But it’s a start and there is something akin to when major labels stopped passively aiding in the death of music-streaming sites and backed Spotify. Creating as compelling a consumer service as Spotify may prove a tall order for aNobii, but it’ll certainly be interesting to see what happens next. [Read More]

BOXEE
Internet TV startup Boxee certainly potential, but realising it is an enormous challenge. Neither Apple TV nor Google TV (as an exec recently admitted) have captured consumers in quite the way the online giants have hoped and Boxee is likely to find things even harder. Adding the likes of Softbank to existing investors General Catalyst, Spark Capital, and Union Square Ventures gives the startup more credibility. But its biggest issue is visibility. Yes it has partnerships with CBS and Netflix, but to make its box set truly appealing it needs more deals and more awareness. Whether the latest USD16.5m injection can achieve this is debatable. [Read More]

MYLIKES
This social network advertising startup began life with angel funding from various Google-related executives and investors. In its latest funding round it has added Gmail creator Paul Buchheit to its board. This is impressive. Whether its service which basically focuses on digital word of mouth, encouraging social network users to ‘like’ brands or products will prove as ultimately impressive is less certain. It’s focusing on a hot area, but whether it genuinely offers something distinctive to what social networks will eventually offer advertisers them selves is unclear. [Read More]

CATCH MEDIA
With all the speculation surrounding potential cloud music launches from Apple and Google and all the hype around Spotify, it’s easy to forget that other companies are focusing on cloud music offerings. Motorola hasn’t with its venture arm investing in the firm behind the ‘Play Anywhere’ digital locker, already used by Carphone Warehouse. It will use this investment to try and strike partnerships in the US with a view to a launch there. [Read More]

SUPYO
Finally, Napster founder Shawn Fanning’s latest project has new funding. The stealth startup is yet to reveal its focus although it is reportedly unrelated to photo sharing site Path, which Fanning has also founded. While the USD250,000 investment is relatively modest it’s the fact Fanning is behind it that is making the firm newsworthy. What do we know about it? It’ll be online and will probably involve sharing of some sort whether it’s in a social media sense, a peer-to-peer sense or a mix of the two. Beyond that - not much more. Yet. [Read More]