Teachers

Google is investing buying out small companies

Edward Berridge

THE PURVEYORS of 3D desktop computer software, Bump Technologies has told the world plus dog that it has been bought by the search outfit Google.

The Canadian startup was created by a University of Toronto student as a masters thesis project. Its software works on both Windows and Macs to make screens appear more similar to real desktops where boxes can be moved or stacked using gestures or a stylus.

Bump said that more than three years ago, "we set out to completely change the way people use their desktops." Well, it does not seem to be doing that. The software will no longer be available for sale, and users wont be able to download updates.

In short its technology might one day see the light of day in a Google product, but it is certainly not going to be changing the way people use the desktop any time soon.

It is not clear how much Google paid for the company, however it seems to have been opening its cheque book lately after pulling back on acquisitions during the recession.

It has announced nine acquisitions this year, mostly of small companies, including Labpixies, an Israeli developer of mini applications such as games and calendars that Internet users can post on their personal pages.

Meanwhile Goolge has also invested in a "utility-scale renewable energy project that generate 169.5 megawatts of power, enough to power more than 55,000 homes."

The wind farms, run by Nextera Energy Resources, were part of a larger $190 million capital raising.

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1604045/google-buys-3d-software-company