Google acquires Jaiku microblogging service

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 10 October 2007 11:20

IT Industry - Listed Tech

Google has acquired Finland-based Jaiku, a Twitter-like "activity stream and presence sharing" service that works with mobile phones and the web.

Jaiku allows users to post short messages describing where they are, what they are doing, what they will be doing, and how they are feeling. These messages are shared with other users, who can add comments.

Presence updates can be sent from any mobile phone via SMS, and there is a full-function client in beta for Nokia S60 phones plus a widget with more limited functionality for other Java phones.

"Activity streams and mobile presence are important areas where we believe Google can add a lot of value for users. Jaiku's technology and talented team are a great addition to Google's current application and mobile teams," said Google officials.

Reading between the lines, our impression is that Jaiku may not remain as a standalone service but may instead be incorporated into a wider Google product - possibly the fabled Google Phone?

As usual, the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.