Etsy to bring AI into its search with latest acquisition

Etsy’s looking to make the online shopping on its platform just a bit easier with its latest purchase. The design and craft marketplace bought Blackbird Technologies, a startup that specializes in developing algorithms that can help Etsy boost its search feature. The acquisition could bring things like natural language processing, analytics, and image recognition.

Financial terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed but all members of the team (a lean 10 people) will be coming onboard to Etsy. And since Etsy will be using their tech, any clients they may have won’t get access to the API anymore. This new purchase can also help keep its competitors at bay and give a better experience for its shoppers.

Source: TechCrunch

Apple acquisition might give you access to your digital health records

Photo: VSPYCC/FlickrPardon the pun but you might be able to get a glimpse of your personal health records with one of Apple’s latest acquisitions. Apple bought Gliimpse recently, a company that specializes in helping users securely collect and share their personal medical records digitally in whatever manner you want. This new purchase could help Apple venture into medical records management and maybe even analysis. Apple can combine its recently launched CareKit platform—which allows companies to develop medical apps since it gives access to personal health data collected by Apple devices—with the technology they get from Gliimpse and offer doctors a more complete medical profile of their patients. Of course, we have to see how secure the collection will be and if companies will get behind it.

Source: Popular Science + Fast Company

Microsoft buys livestreaming service Beam to boost interaction on the platform

Microsoft’s latest acquisition might be giving them an advantage in the livestreaming space. Its latest buy is livestreaming service Beam, a platform that lets viewers interact in real-time with the streamers while they broadcast. This is in contrast with Twitch that only allows passive viewing. Beam’s SDK doesn’t just allow for simple chatting and streaming, it allows you to directly interface with the streamers and even get involved in the game. You can earn XP points, boosters, and emoticons based on how much and how often you watch.

Beam will be part of the Xbox team and its CEO Matt Salsamendi is viewing this as a positive for them as well. Salsamendi says, "As part of the Xbox team, we'll be able to scale faster than we've ever been able to before." 

Source: Engadget

Case maker Incipio buys Skullcandy

Incipio is adding more to its stable of audio offerings by buying Skullcandy, the makers of flashy, youth-oriented headphones. According to Android Police, the terms of the acquisition offer US$5.75 for any shares of Skullcandy. This is then worth a combined $177 million in cash, making up a 59 percent premium over the brand’s current market value (including cash holdings and investments). Astro Gaming, Skullcandy’s gaming-specific brand of headphones and headsets are also part of the deal. More than anything, Incipio is getting the wide retail reach of Skullcandy, which develops everything from high-end Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones to sweat-proof sport headsets to colorful and affordable earbuds.

The other recent acquisitions of Incipio include high-end speaker manufacturer Braven, accessory maker Incase, and beachwear company Tavik. If Incipio maintains its hands-off approach with its other purchases, you probably won’t notice any difference with Skullcandy.