Facebook’s latest acquisition is an effort to improve its messaging system, as the social networking site works to improve its own message service.
Beluga is the developer of a mobile chat system in which users can send messages in a group rather than just between individual people.
Users create various groups of friends, and can send a message to an entire group. Anyone in that group can then also reply to the entire group. Basically, it’s like a chat room but with text messages.
Beluga’s service just opened in December, but caught Facebook’s attention right away.
“We’re psyched to confirm that we’ve just acquired the talent and assets of Beluga, whose simple and elegant mobile apps blew us away as a solution to help groups of friends stay in touch on the move. We’re looking forward to welcoming co-founders Ben Davenport, Lucy Zhang and Jonathan Perlow, and we’re excited that the team will continue their vision for groups and mobile communication as part of Facebook,” said Facebook in a statement.
It’s the latest in a string of acquisitions from the social networker, and continues the company’s tradition of buying small start-ups that it sees with huge potential.
Perhaps the one area where Facebook needs the most improvement is in its messaging service, especially if users want to organize their messages or talk with multiple people at the same time. This acquisition will go toward working on that.
Beluga’s current service will continue to operate as normal, at least for now.
