Another day, another -- you guessed it -- Google acquisition. Google has picked up widget maker LabPixies for $25 million, according to Israeli financial news website TheMarker.
LabPixies, which develops gadgets ranging from calendars, news feeds and to-do lists to entertainment and games, was one of the first developers of personalized Web gadgets for Google's iGoogle and Android software applications, as well as for the iPhone.
"The deal is Google's first acquisition of an Israeli start-up," according to Reuters.
"Google loves to build platforms on which programs run -- Android, App Engine, iGoogle, and in the biggest picture, the Web itself," writes CNet's Deep Tech blog. "But platforms are of no use, and aren't much fun, without applications on top, so Google often also kick-starts development with applications of its own."
"Over the years, we worked closely together on a variety of projects, including the launch of a number of global OpenSocial based gadgets," iGoogle team member Don Loeb said in the blog post regarding LabPixies. "Recently, we decided that we could do more if we were part of the same team."
After joining the Google team, Mashable notes that LabPixies will help expand iGoogle across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. "As far as LabPixies' current products go, there are no planned changes to them, but the folks at LabPixies say they 'will continue to evaluate this over time.'"
Though a bit player, the fact that LabPixies develops personalized Web gadgets for the iPhone won't be lost on some analysts who've speculated that Google buys companies just to annoy Apple.
Just last week, for instance, Google acquired chip maker Agnilux, which was founded by some ex-Apple engineers who helped create the company's A4 chip, i.e., iPad's processing engine.
COMMENTARY: It's hard to believe that a lil widget-maker like LabPixies can fetch $25 million. Personally, I question the wisdom of this type of acquisition, because the market for widget-makers is very crowded, like there are app developers for the Apple iPhone.
However, I do find it very interesting and almost comical that Google would acquire Agnilux, the company that produces the A4 processor chip for the iPad. I don't know if Apple has sourced suppliers for an alternative for the A4 processor, but they better get cracking. The above article makes a point that Google acquires companies just to piss off Apple. Well, I think they found one. I chuckle at Google's motto: "Do No Evil". Sure.
Courtesy of an article dated April 27, 2010 appearing in Reuters
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