14 DAY TRIAL // Skype has just announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition of the well-known provider of mobile video software and services Qik.
Previously known for providing users with the option to capture, share and preserve videos from anywhere, Qik is available on over 200 mobile phone models across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms.
Even though terms of the acquisition haven't been disclosed, it seems that Skype will pay around $100 million to acquire Qik. The transaction is expected to close by the end of January 2011.
Qik is headquartered in Redwood City, California, it has an office in Moscow, Russia and around 60 employees.
“The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices,” said Tony Bates, Skype’s chief executive officer.
“Skype’s software enables an estimated 25 percent of the world’s international long distance voice calling minutes, and approximately 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video. Qik’s deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype,” added Bates.
Qik was founded in 2006 and it has focused on delivering innovative and flexible solutions to capture and share videos across mobile devices, the web, as well as desktop platforms.
“Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people everyday to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them,” said Vijay Tella, chief executive officer of Qik.
“Joining Skype allows Qik’s team to unite with Skype’s talented team to develop new and innovative products for our customers and partners,”concluded Tella.
With the new acquisition, Skype hopes to enhance its video technology, by adding recording, sharing and storing capabilities to its product portfolio.