Snapchat acquires Bitmoji maker for US$100 million

In what looks like a way to compete with Facebook in the mobile messaging market, Snapchat has snapped up Bitmoji creator, Bitstrips Inc., for over $100 million USD in cash and stock. If you’re unfamiliar with the Bitmoji app, it lets users create cartoon avatars based on themselves that they can send via a special smartphone keyboard. This acquisition is seen to help Snapchat further its library of visual filters and lenses to its over 100 million users. Earlier this month, Facebook bought Masquerade Technologies to let users enhance their videos with filters and “swap” faces with someone else in the picture, a popular feature on Snapchat.

Source: MarketWatch

Facebook buys face-swapping app Masquerade

Snapchat isn't the only one with face-swapping capabilities. Facebook wants to offer the experience to its users so they've bought face-swapping and live filter app Masquerade. You probably know them more as MSQRD on both Android and iOS worlds. The standalone apps won't go away but what Facebook is looking to do is bring the feature into its app (we're guessing to Messenger).

According to Masquerade CEO Eugene Nevgen, the purchase will help them reach a wider audience. "Within Facebook, we're going to be able to reach people at a scale like never before." As of December 2015, there are over a billion daily active users on Facebook, so they do have the potential to reach a much larger audience.

Source: SlashGear

Pandora reportedly wants to get acquired

Pandora seems to be positioning itself to be acquired. A report from The New York Times claims Pandora, with the guidance from Morgan Stanley, is currently in preliminary discussions for a possible acquisition. It isn’t specified if there are potential buyers. Recent moves from Pandora’s end—like buying technology from the now-shuttered Rdio and acquiring Ticketfly—are believed to help make the service more attractive to streaming music fans, especially with its stocks down 60 percent since October 2015. But it can also be looked at as a way to make the company more attractive to potential buyers. Pandora won’t comment on the report but we won’t be surprised if we hear more about this in the future.

Source: The New York Times | Via: The Next Web

Zagg purchases Mophie for US$100 million

It’s a joining together of mobile accessory makers. Mobile accessory manufacturer Zagg has bought phone battery case maker Mophie for at least US$100 million, which could change figures later depending on the sales figures of Mophie. “This strategic combination of two industry innovators with complementary product, brand and distribution platforms will enable us to deliver increased value for our customers and shareholders,” Randy Hales, president and chief executive officer of Zagg, said in a statement. Mophie first gained popularity as a battery case for iPhones but later expanded to Android devices and then to standalone battery packs.

Source: Engadget