The group messaging battle heated up Sunday as Skype acquired group messaging service GroupMe, which will enhance Skype’s ability to facilitate text and photo messaging.
In an announcement, Skype said GroupMe will provide “best-in-class text-based communications and innovative features that enable users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans with their closest ties.”
Given the hyper-competitive backdrop of the group messaging field, it’s no surprise that Skype’s CEO Tony Bates told The Wall Street Journal about how important he thinks the mobile group messaging space is to his company.
A myriad of shakeups in the group messaging space have taken place in the past year, including Google’s purchase of Slide in August 2010, Facebook’s rollout of Group Chat capabilities after it acquired Beluga in March, and Apple’s unveiling of iMessage for iOS 5 in June.
Even though Skype agreed in May to sell itself to Microsoft for $8.5 billion, that transaction has not been completed yet. Bates didn’t specify the terms of the agreement between Skype and GroupMe, which is expected to close on Monday.
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Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:48:14 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Q4N--M0g_sQ/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/21/skype-buys-groupme/#comments
In an announcement, Skype said GroupMe will provide “best-in-class text-based communications and innovative features that enable users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans with their closest ties.”
Given the hyper-competitive backdrop of the group messaging field, it’s no surprise that Skype’s CEO Tony Bates told The Wall Street Journal about how important he thinks the mobile group messaging space is to his company.
A myriad of shakeups in the group messaging space have taken place in the past year, including Google’s purchase of Slide in August 2010, Facebook’s rollout of Group Chat capabilities after it acquired Beluga in March, and Apple’s unveiling of iMessage for iOS 5 in June.
Even though Skype agreed in May to sell itself to Microsoft for $8.5 billion, that transaction has not been completed yet. Bates didn’t specify the terms of the agreement between Skype and GroupMe, which is expected to close on Monday.
More About: deals, groupme, SkypeFor more Business & Marketing coverage:Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Business & Marketing channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:48:14 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/Q4N--M0g_sQ/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/21/skype-buys-groupme/#comments