Google Acquires Facebook Analyst Katango

Google has acquired social media software firm Katango, whose platform sorts users' Facebook friends and iPhone contacts into groups by analyzing their online interactions, interests and backgrounds. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

San Francisco-based Katango was founded last year by former Stanford University colleagues Thuc Vu (pictured), Mike Munie, and Yoav Shoham. Its 'people sorting' technology will now be integrated into Google's Circles initiative, which enables members of its new social networking site Google+ to segment their friends into different groups so they can choose what to share with whom.

A Google spokesperson said in a statement: 'We were impressed by the Katango team's innovative approach to making social circles smarter, and we think they'll be a great addition to the Google+ team.'

Web site: www.katango.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.