Facebook buys digital bookmaker Push Pop Press
Terms of the deal remain undisclosed, but the social network makes it clear that it won't be getting into the book-publishing industry.
Facebook has purchased digital bookmaker Push Pop Press, the companies announced today. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Push Pop Press made a name for itself by developing an iOS app version of former U.S. Vice President Al Gore's book "Our Choice." The application received widespread praise from critics and earned the company an Apple Design Award earlier this year.
But all that doesn't mean that Facebook will be getting into the digital-publishing business. According to Push Pop Press, Facebook is acquiring the company for its technology, which will be used in some way on the world's largest social network.
"Although Facebook isn't planning to start publishing digital books, the ideas and technology behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook, giving people even richer ways to share their stories," Push Pop Press said in a statement today. "With millions of people publishing to Facebook each day, we think it's going to be a great home for Push Pop Press."
Facebook echoed that sentiment in its own statement on the acquisition, saying Push Pop Press' co-founders, Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris, will be bringing some of their ideas to the social network.
"We're thrilled to confirm that we've acquired Push Pop Press, a start-up whose groundbreaking software changes the way people publish and consume digital content," a Facebook representative told CNET in an e-mailed statement. "We can't wait for co-founders Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris to get started, and for some of the technology, ideas, and inspiration behind Push Pop Press to become part of how millions of people connect and share with each other on Facebook."
Facebook's latest acquisition comes in the middle of what the company's co-founder, Mark Zuckerberg, called "launching season 2011." Last month, Facebook unveiled Skype video calling and group chatting. The company is also rumored to be working on a native iPad application.
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