First, instant messengers were hot property; then they were out-dated and dull. Now they’ve come full circle again, promising flexible, real-time communication that the big social networks can’t compete with. Facebook splashed out on WhatsApp, Google is rumored to be building yet another IM platform, and now Yahoo has picked up the MessageMe app.
As Re/code reported that it might earlier this week, sources said that Yahoo is poised to buy MessageMe, the messaging service that has had its share of troubles of late with its product and also growth. If the transaction is completed, it will be yet another small mobile company that the Silicon Valley Internet giant has scooped up. In fact, Yahoo seems to have become the de facto savior of startups in distress or, perhaps, the new dumb money for venture capitalists in need of getting out of investments. In a post about the departure of MessageMe COO Ali Rosenthal, Re/code reported that Yahoo was mulling the acquisition of MessageMe, which has raised about $12 million. TechCrunch reported on the news of the deal today, too.
