Google Acquires AppJet, DocVerse and Yelp
Tomi H�s�
December 4, 2009
"Google buys yet another company: AppJet, the start-up that created
EtherPad, an innovative online word processor. The EtherPad team, that
includes three former Googlers, will join the Google Wave team. EtherPad
will be available for the existing users until March 31, 2010."
http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2009/12/google-acquires-appjet.html
Google to buy DocVerse, introduce Microsoft Office doc collaboration
December 21, 2009
"The war between Microsoft and Google for your web-based document business
just got a lot more serious."
"Google has been positioning Google Apps as an Office killer and
encouraging companies to adopt it. Meanwhile, Microsoft countered with a
web-based component to Office 2010. The latest move comes from Google,
though, with the acquisition of DocVerse."
"DocVerse is a service that allows users to collaborate on Microsoft
Office documents. With DocVerse in its portfolio, Google will be able to
let Google Apps users work online with their existing Office docs."
"In other words, Google is creating one less reason why anyone will need
Microsoft Office in 2010. How DocVerse will be integrated into Google's
existing products remains to be seen, but this move will certainly make
the battle for office app supremacy more interesting."
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/12/21/google-reportedly-buying-docverse-introducing-office-collaborat/
Google Looks To Aquire Two More Companies
December 21, 2009
"Google who last week were cranking up their YouTube offering is back on
the acquisition trail with reports that they are set to buy DocVerse a
Company who have a product that works with Microsoft Windows. They are
also set to purchase Yelp, a US property search Company."
"The DocVerse purchased which is tipped to cost Google $25 million will
give the Global search Company new collaboration service tools that works
in conjunction with Microsoft Office documents. It will also see the
Company compete on with Microsoft in the online application market."
"DocVerse was founded by two Microsoft veterans, Shan Sinha and Alex
DeNeui. Analysts claim that Microsoft will seek to counter with Microsoft
Office Web Apps, which are debuting next year along with the next version
of the Office suite."
"Google is also in acquisition discussions with US local business
directory and review site Yelp. The purchase price is tipped to be $500
million."
"Yelp provides reviews for local businesses, including restaurants,
retailers, service providers and real estate agents. The Web site had 26
million visitors in the last 30 days through November."
"If Google can get Yelp, it will have a treasure trove of local
information with which it can pair contextual mobile ads."
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Content_And_Downloads/Industry/G3A2P2V5
Why Google's Shopping Spree Should Worry Investors
December 20, 2009
"In October, Google CEO Eric Schmidt told investors his company would be
on the lookout for acquisitions. But few could have predicted the shopping
spree that has since materialized."
"Google is about to snap up local information company Yelp for $500
million. That purchase comes on the heels of a $750 million takeover of
AdMob in November. Google may also now be in the process of buying online
real estate information company Trulia for northwards of $200 million,
according to some reports. There have also been smaller deals, like the
November purchase of ad optimizing company Teracent or a possible
acquisition of document collaboration company DocVerse for about $25
million, according to some reports."
"But while Google is chasing down some of the hottest upstarts around, its
buying binge should give investors serious pause. Recall that the search
giant has an army of engineers on hand, who famously have 20% of their
time carved out to work on pet projects that might blossom into the Web's
next big thing. Indeed, investors are often concerned about Google's
massive spending on hiring. So, having to pay top dollar for other
companies demonstrates Google's inability to take advantage of emerging
Web trends itself, despite devoting major resources to the cause. And
buying other companies has yet to solve that problem, either."
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/googles-desperate-shopping-spree-should-worry-investors/19287957/