Snaptu
| Developer(s) | Snaptu |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 1.7.1
/ March, 2011 |
| Operating system | Java |
| Type | Mobile Applications |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | official website |
Snaptu (pronounced "snap tu") was a free mobile application platform that ran on virtually every type of Internet-enabled mobile phone. It allowed the user to access popular services, varying from social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Picasa to entertainment news, blogs, sports and local guides.
Overview
Snaptu’s focus was its ability to connect users with even a rudimentary phone to the mobile web. The product’s cross-platform capabilities stem from its methodology, in which the applications do not run on the mobile phone itself, but on Internet servers.
Snaptu was a collection of apps including Twitter, LinkedIn, Picasa, Flickr and others, available from its own app store.[1]. Snaptu bundled more than 30 free applications and more than 25 web links as of September 23, 2010.[2]
In January 2011, the Snaptu application had over 78 million users worldwide.[3]
Acquisition by Facebook
Facebook and Snaptu had been working on a Facebook application and had released it on 19 January, 2011[4]. According to the company blog it works on 80% of mobile phones available in the market.[5]
A press release in March 2011 at the company blog confirmed that the company has agreed to be acquired by Facebook.[6] Company stated in its blog that the reason for being acquired by Facebook was that "it offered the best opportunity to keep accelerating the pace of our product development."[7] It also stated that the acquisition will end in few weeks and in the transition period Snaptu will continue to operate normally.[8] According to Israeli publication Globes, the deal is worth US$60–US$70 million.[9]
At the end of October Snaptu announced to all its users that on the 11 November 2011 they would end most of their apps. This includes the discontinuation of their Twitter, Cricinfo and LinkedIn apps. Instead of continuing development on these applications, the focus would turn to their standalone Facebook app.
At the end of December 2011, Snaptu's functionality ceased in its entirety, replaced with a message telling users that the service had ceased, and provided a link to download the successor application, "Facebook for Every Phone".
References
- ^ Facebook Mobile application for All phones [1]
- ^ List of Snaptu applications and weblinks.Complete list of applications bunched together in SnapTu | QuiQinQ - blog
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?cat=4
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?p=202
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?cat=4
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?p=224
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?p=224
- ^ http://blog.snaptu.com/?p=224
- ^ Arthur, Charles (Monday 21 March 2011). "Facebook buys mobile startup Snaptu: Social networking site's latest acquisition enables people to use smartphone-like applications on simpler 'feature' phones". The Guardian.
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External links
- Snaptu - http://www.snaptu.com
- Lifehacker - http://lifehacker.com/5345234/snaptu-packs-dozens-of-social-and-information-apps-into-a-phone+friendly-platform
- CNET UK - http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/0,39029453,49300577,00.htm
- Walla! Tech - http://tech.walla.co.il/?w=/4008/1543707
- TheMarker - http://www.themarker.com/tmc/article.jhtml?ElementId=az20090125_864523
- GigaOm - http://gigaom.com/2008/09/09/moblica-no-more-eating-soup-with-a-fork/
- Complete list of applications bunched together in SnapTu - http://blog.quiqinq.com/2010/09/complete-list-of-applications-bunched.html