Google Buys reCAPTCHA, Gets Help Reading Books
Google has acquired reCAPTCHA, which provides CAPTCHA technology for more than 100,000 Web sites. reCAPTCHA is a spinoff of Carnegie Mellon University’s computer science department. Read More

Google To Buy Brightcove For $500-$700 Million
The “rumor that Google is buying Brightcove is in fact false,” claims Web video analyst Dan Rayburn. He cites an employee “I trust” at one of the companies, who would not talk on the record.

Earlier: Google is in talks to buy Web video provider Brightcove for $500 million to $700 million, PBS MediaShift editor Mark Glaser says on Twitter, citing a source with knowledge of the deal. Read More

Adobe buy Omniture for $1.8 Billion
Adobe said on Tuesday that it has reached a deal to acquire Web analytics firm Omniture for $1.8 billion, or $21.50 per share.
That represents a 45 percent premium to Omniture’s average closing price for the last 30 days, Adobe noted in its press release. Omniture, which was started in 1996, has about 1,200 employees and took in just under $300 million in the 12 months ending Dec. 31.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen called the move a “game changer” for the company. Read More

Twitter Raising Money At $1 BILLION Valuation!
Twitter will raise around $50 million at a $1 billion valuation, TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington reports, citing “multiple sources.” Twitter CEO Evan Williams reportedly disclosed the round at a recent employee meeting.
Twitter raised $35 million earlier this year, led by Benchmark Capital and Institutional Venture Partners.
The company has no material revenue at the moment. But it has huge plans for growth. And when you can raise money at a $1 billion valuation, you do it. Read More