Facebook buys startup to link with more mobile phones

Facebook is buying an Israeli startup that specialises in software that connects any type of mobile telephone to the leading online social network and other popular internet destinations.

Facebook confirmed that it is acquiring Snaptu with an eye towards extending its reach to the hundreds of millions of mobile phones that don’t feature the computer-like Internet capabilities of smartphones.

“As part of our goal to offer people around the world the opportunity to connect and share on mobile devices, we’re excited to confirm that we recently signed an agreement to acquire Snaptu,” Facebook said in an e-mail response to an AFP inquiry.

“As part of Facebook, Snaptu’s team and technology will enable us to deliver an even better mobile experience on feature phones more quickly.”

The deal was expected to close in a few weeks. Financial details were not disclosed. Snaptu was founded in 2007 with the stated goal of making available on “feature phones” innovative services people access routinely on smartphones.