时间:2026-05-23 12:39:31 来源:网络整理编辑:綜合
Snapchat is continuing on its quest to redefine mobile.The mobile storytelling app is acquiring Vurb
Snapchat is continuing on its quest to redefine mobile.
The mobile storytelling app is acquiring Vurb, a search and discovery app, for $100 million in a cash and stock deal, according to The Information.
First, it was disappearing messages. Then, it was vertical video. Next, Snapchat could bring more to search.
Founded in 2011, Vurb attempted to make search more mobile-friendly, digestible and shareable by converting results into mobile cards. All within one app, users could search for a place, see the related information and save it for later or send it to a friend. Other categories included movies, TV, video and music.
SEE ALSO:Instagram Stories doesn't mean Snapchat will disappearThe ambitions were clearly to take on search giant Google. Vurb is “very different than traditional search with 10 blue links," founder Bobby Lo told TechCrunchlast year.
For Snapchat, Vurb's technology could align with its own ambitions to capture more eyeballs and ad dollars from Google, Facebook and other apps through improving third-party content and personalization. The news comes shortly after Facebook's Instagram released a nearly identical copy of Snapchat's core feature, Stories.
"I don't think this is about any old mobile search engine," Ian Schafer, CEO and founder of ad agency DeepFocus, told Mashable in an email. "The experience / place nature of Vurb seems to fit nicely into the technological direction Snapchat is heading toward."
"I don't think this is about any old mobile search engine"
That includes deep-linking to other apps and sites, as demonstrated by Snapchat's ticket purchasing ad for X-Men: Apocalypse. Vurb is connected to Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, Google Maps, Netflix and Uber, for example.
Snapchat is also interested in selling and showing ads based on object recognition, as revealed in a recent patent application.
"A search engine geared around place-based intent like Vurb would help take Snapchat closer to that vision when paired with their already impressive visual recognition technology," Schafer said.
Not unlike Foursquare's pitch, Vurb recommends services that are "personalized for you in one simple app," according to its website. Those recommendations are based on interests, trending topics, time, weather and locations, the website reads. That idea could soon be matched with Snapchat's abundance of photos and videos.
Snapchat hasn't been shy about acquisitions. Earlier this year, the company acquired Bitmoji for $100 million, which it recently integrated into the app. Snapchat spent $150 million on facial recognition app Looksery to support its lenses technology last year, TechCrunchreported.
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
TopicsGoogleSnapchat
Slack goes down again, prompting anxiety everywhere2026-05-23 12:33
This Indian company is promising a $7 Android smartphone2026-05-23 12:31
Variety's email hacked, fake messages sent to readers2026-05-23 12:24
Alison Brie to star in Jenji Kohan's new Netflix comedy series2026-05-23 12:23
17 questions you can answer if you're a good communicator2026-05-23 12:01
Magical pothole in Scotland bears remarkable resemblance to Australia2026-05-23 11:34
Was the iPhone 7 just listed on Apple's website?2026-05-23 11:25
LinkedIn cofounder will pay $5 million for Donald Trump's tax returns2026-05-23 10:47
WhatsApp announces plans to share user data with Facebook2026-05-23 10:43
'Overwatch' counters: How to shut down every Defense hero2026-05-23 10:12
Uber's $100M settlement over drivers as contractors may not be enough2026-05-23 12:27
Hurricane Hermine may pummel Mid2026-05-23 12:21
A NASA probe saw a double eclipse of the sun from space2026-05-23 12:08
White nationalist Twitter has exploded since 20142026-05-23 11:36
Whyd voice2026-05-23 11:18
Alcatel's Vision VR headset doesn't need a phone2026-05-23 11:09
Demi Lovato now co2026-05-23 10:45
Alcatel's 360 camera is the simplest we've seen2026-05-23 10:11
5 people Tim Cook calls for advice on running the biggest company in the world2026-05-23 10:08
Lightning strike kills more than 300 reindeer in Norway2026-05-23 09:55