<p>The move comes three months after software giant Microsoft announced that it will snap up Skype for about USD 8.5 billion.<br /><br />In a statement, Skype said yesterday, "... It has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GroupMe, a provider of mobile group messaging services that help users stay in touch and make decisions."<br /><br />However, the company has not disclosed the financial details of the deal.<br />The deal would help Skype to continue its drive to provide a global multi-modal and multi-platform communications experience. GroupMe, founded in 2010, has an application that lets users text and make conference calls within a group of friends or colleagues.<br /><br />The acquisition of GroupMe complements Skype's leadership in voice and video communications by providing best-in-class text-based communication and innovative features that enable users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans with their closest contacts.<br /><br />The start-up, however, faces growing competition from Apple, Google and Facebook, which are new smartphone messaging services that include group messaging.<br /><br />"Skype and GroupMe have a shared vision of creating applications and experiences that are the daily communications choice for a billion people. We will continue to seek the top talent and technology to make that vision a reality.<br /><br />"The GroupMe team has created an incredibly sticky group messaging experience that works across mobile devices and platforms, making this a perfect addition to the voice, video and text products in the Skype family," Skype CEO Tony Bates said.</p>
<p>The move comes three months after software giant Microsoft announced that it will snap up Skype for about USD 8.5 billion.<br /><br />In a statement, Skype said yesterday, "... It has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire GroupMe, a provider of mobile group messaging services that help users stay in touch and make decisions."<br /><br />However, the company has not disclosed the financial details of the deal.<br />The deal would help Skype to continue its drive to provide a global multi-modal and multi-platform communications experience. GroupMe, founded in 2010, has an application that lets users text and make conference calls within a group of friends or colleagues.<br /><br />The acquisition of GroupMe complements Skype's leadership in voice and video communications by providing best-in-class text-based communication and innovative features that enable users to connect, share locations and photos and make plans with their closest contacts.<br /><br />The start-up, however, faces growing competition from Apple, Google and Facebook, which are new smartphone messaging services that include group messaging.<br /><br />"Skype and GroupMe have a shared vision of creating applications and experiences that are the daily communications choice for a billion people. We will continue to seek the top talent and technology to make that vision a reality.<br /><br />"The GroupMe team has created an incredibly sticky group messaging experience that works across mobile devices and platforms, making this a perfect addition to the voice, video and text products in the Skype family," Skype CEO Tony Bates said.</p>