10 February 2007

Google buys Zingku

Search engine Google has bought mobile social networking start-up Zingku as part of its plans to extend its mobile phone services.

Zingku uses standard features that come with most phones to enable users to create and exchange "things of interest" without having to install anything.

On mobile phones, it uses regular text messaging features and, on the internet, it uses the standard web browser and instant messenger.

Commenting on its services, the company states: "With Zingku, things you wish to promote or share can easily be created and fetched via mobile, instant messenger, and web browser.

"Our service integrates your mobile phone with a personalised website so that you can easily move (zing) things back and forth between the web and your mobile, as well as powerfully connect with friends and, optionally, their friends."

It also enables companies to create "mobile flyers" and then publish or email a "zing-code" to potential customers, who can then opt to pull the flyer on to their phone.

If they wish, the user can then send the flyer on to any friends they think may be interested.

According to Zingku, these mobile flyers, which take recipients through a "mobile text and picture messaging journey", are more effective among 18 to 21-year-olds, who have "tuned out of email and are tuned into their mobile[s]".

Although Google has not released an official statement concerning the deal, the Google Operating System Blog, an unofficial source, reported that the search engine confirmed the deal, saying that it has "acquired certain assets and technology of Zingku".