 Skype has entered into an agreement to acquire Qik, a provider of mobile video software that enables people to capture and instantly share video images from anywhere. (Bloomberg) |
Internet videophone provider Skype announced last week that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Qik, a provider of mobile video software that enables people to capture and instantly share video images from anywhere.
Qik was founded in 2006 and offers innovative and flexible solutions to capture and share video through mobile devices, the web and desktop platforms. Videos can be shared in real time or stored for later review, allowing for video messaging, sharing and archiving. The Qik service is already available on over 200 mobile phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms and comes pre-loaded on a wide variety of mobile handsets, through partnerships with leading handset manufacturers and carriers.
Both Skype and Qik share the common purpose of enhancing communications with video, across any device. The acquisition of Qik is expected to help accelerate Skype’s leadership in videophone services by adding recording, sharing and storing capabilities to Skype’s product portfolio. Through this acquisition, Skype is also expected to be able to leverage the engineering expertise behind Qik’s patented “Smart Streaming” technology that optimizes video transmission over wireless networks.
“The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices,” said Skype CEO Tony Bates. "Skype’s software enables an estimated 25 percent of the world’s international long distance voice calling minutes, and approximately 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video. Qik’s deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype.”
Together, Skype and Qik will focus on providing a richer, more integrated experience that will allow people to share experiences in real-time video across different platforms all around the world, as well as store those moments so they can be viewed anytime later.
"Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people every day to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them,” said Qik CEO Vijay Tella. “Joining Skype allows Qik’s team to unite with Skype’s talented team to develop new and innovative products for our customers and partners.”
Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California. It also has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January, 2011, however terms of the acquisition have not yet been disclosed.
Qik was founded in 2006 and offers innovative and flexible solutions to capture and share video through mobile devices, the web and desktop platforms. Videos can be shared in real time or stored for later review, allowing for video messaging, sharing and archiving. The Qik service is already available on over 200 mobile phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms and comes pre-loaded on a wide variety of mobile handsets, through partnerships with leading handset manufacturers and carriers.
Both Skype and Qik share the common purpose of enhancing communications with video, across any device. The acquisition of Qik is expected to help accelerate Skype’s leadership in videophone services by adding recording, sharing and storing capabilities to Skype’s product portfolio. Through this acquisition, Skype is also expected to be able to leverage the engineering expertise behind Qik’s patented “Smart Streaming” technology that optimizes video transmission over wireless networks.
“The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices,” said Skype CEO Tony Bates. "Skype’s software enables an estimated 25 percent of the world’s international long distance voice calling minutes, and approximately 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video. Qik’s deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype.”
Together, Skype and Qik will focus on providing a richer, more integrated experience that will allow people to share experiences in real-time video across different platforms all around the world, as well as store those moments so they can be viewed anytime later.
"Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people every day to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them,” said Qik CEO Vijay Tella. “Joining Skype allows Qik’s team to unite with Skype’s talented team to develop new and innovative products for our customers and partners.”
Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California. It also has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January, 2011, however terms of the acquisition have not yet been disclosed.
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