RealNetworks Purchases Varia Mobile
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RealNetworks (NSDQ: RNWK) has made a small acquisition, buying up mobile phone startup Varia Mobile, we have confirmed with the company; TechFlash broke the news earlier today. Varia says its technology “provides immediate publishing, integration and deployment of Web 2.0 desktop services directly to mobile devices.” As an example, it says it can be used to wirelessly sync content, like music, with a media service or storefront so that a user does not have to sync their phone directly with their PC.
RealNetworks isn’t saying exactly how it plans to incorporate Varia. However, Varia president John McQueen will report to Hank Skorny, who RealNetworks hired earlier this year as part of an effort to create products and services that “leverage cloud computing to make digital media available to consumers whenever and wherever they want.” Varia’s technology was also behind the ibiza Rhapsody MP3 player, which was made by Haier and integrated RealNetworks’ Rhapsody music service. That product was pulled from the market this summer.
SEE ALSO: RealNetworks Swings To A Small Profit; Facebook, iPhone Are ‘Revolutionizing’ Revenue Models
No financial terms are being disclosed. Varia was spun off from Tegic Communications in September 2007 after that firm was sold by AOL (NYSE: AOL) to Nuance Communications.
Posted In: Mobile, Money, M&A & Venture Capital, Companies, RealNetworks
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