Google Buys Instagram Rival Nik Software

(Reuters) - Google Inc said it bought Instagram rival Nik Software, which makes award-winning photo editing application Snapseed, for an undisclosed amount.

Google and Facebook Inc are locked in a battle for social network followers that has increasingly shifted to mobile applications, such as photo editing.

While not as famous as Instagram, available for free on Apple's mobile devices, Snapseed has won a following for its editing prowess among photographers, despite a $4.99 price tag.

Nik Software says Snapseed has more than 9 million users while Instagram says it has more than 100 million.

"We want to help our users create photos they absolutely love, and in our experience Nik does this better than anyone," Vic Gundotra, Google's senior vice president, engineering, said on a Google+ post.

Facebook this year bought Instagram, which made an app for users to add filters and effects to pictures taken on their smartphones, for a cool $1 billion.

"Google's playing chase up in social," BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis said. "It's yet another tuck in they have done, trying to boost their Google+ offering."

Snapseed won Apple Inc's "iPad App Of The Year" award in 2011 for its multitouch photo editing interface.

"We've always aspired to share our passion for photography with everyone, and with Google's support we hope to be able to help many millions more people create awesome pictures," Nik Software said on its Website.

Google's Gundotra also said that Google+ had hit over 400 million users this week and had just crossed 100 million monthly active users.

source: nytimes.com

US clears Facebook deal for Instagram

WASHINGTON - US regulators said Wednesday they closed an investigation into Facebook's billion-dollar deal to buy the startup behind photo-sharing smartphone application Instagram, taking no action.

The Federal Trade Commission said in a statement that Facebook's bid to buy Instagram "may now proceed as proposed."

In letters to both firms published on the FTC's website, the agency said for the first time that it had opened a probe into potential violations of federal laws on competition or deceptive practices.

But the letters said "no further action is warranted at this time."

"This action is not to be construed as a determination that a violation may not have occurred, just as the pendency of an investigation should not be construed as a determination that a violation has occurred," each of the letters said.

"The commission reserves the right to take such further action as the public interest may require."

The big ticket purchase was seen by some as a move by Facebook to strengthen defenses against Google and blazing hot newcomer Pinterest just ahead of the Facebook public offering.

"For years, we've focused on building the best experience for sharing photos with your friends and family," Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg said in announcing the deal in April.

"Now, we'll be able to work even more closely with the Instagram team to also offer the best experiences for sharing beautiful mobile photos with people based on your interests."

Zuckerberg called the purchase "an important milestone for Facebook because it's the first time we've ever acquired a product and company with so many users," but promised it was a rare acquisition.

source: interaksyon.com

Instagram perks up its iOS app

Popular photo sharing app Instagram is adding "visual improvements" to its update for devices running Apple's iOS operating system.

Version 2.5.0 of the app includes custom filters and borders, effects and instant sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Posterous.

Other features include unlimited uploads and the ability to interact with friends through giving and receiving likes and comments, according to its description on the iTunes Store.

The app also has a revamped profile tab and allows one to search for users and tags in the Explore tab. It also has improvements to commenting.

The app is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 3.1.2 or later.

A separate article on CNET said the app "does seem quite a bit faster with photos loading more quickly."

But it said it is not yet clear if and when Instagram for Android will be updated. — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com