Facebook acquires social media startup Branch, to build conversation group

Facebook acquires social networking startup Branch Media to focus on online forms.

Facebook has acquired New York based start up Branch Media to develop Facebook's conversations group. The financial details about the deal have not been disclosed yet but according to sources the deal is estimated to be worth about $ 15 million.

The social networking start-up was launched two years ago with backing from The Obvious Corporation, a firm backed by Twitter co-founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams. According to the deal New York City-based startup's twin social networks, Branch and Potluck, will continue to operate independently and work on Facebook conversations for helping people connect based on their interests.

Josh Miller, Branch's co-founder announced the acquisition in a Facebook post. "After two years building Branch and Potluck, I am thrilled to announce that we will be continuing our mission at Facebook," said Miller.

"We will be forming Facebook's Conversations group, based in New York City, with the goal of helping people connect with others around their interests. Their pitch to us was: "Build Branch at Facebook scale," he added.

Miller said that he is "incredibly bullish on Facebook". He added, "At the end of the day, social networks are valuable for the size and density of their network (of people)—not the volume of photos shared or messages sent," Miller wrote in a blog post. "In that regard, Facebook still reigns supreme, by far."

Facebook has recently acquired its first Indian start-up Little Eye labs that monitors building tools and performance analysis of mobile app developers. The acquisition is aimed to enhance the social networking giants revenue from its mobile business. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed yet, but according to media reports the price was approximately $ 15 Million.

Qualcomm Toq smartwatch gets Soon On World Market

Qualcomm Toq smartwatch gets December 2 as the release date

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The Qualcomm Toq smartwatch was announced at the IFA 2013 along with the Galaxy Gear, but the former has been missing in action ever since even though the Samsung contender and a couple of others have already hit the market scene. Nevertheless, the wearable gadget is now all set to go up for sale. The company has revealed that it will hit store shelves on December 2.

One of the key highlights of the device is its Mirasol reflective display technology that makes use of the light in the surrounding area, instead of backlighting. And this precisely is the reason why the watch’s display continues to deliver clear visuals even in bright sunlight. And that’s not all, it even reduces the power usage and makes it capable of coughing up usage time of more than a couple of days.

In addition to this, the compact and lightweight Toq smartwatch doesn't have any ports or an on/off button. It is like your conventional watch and you merely have to glance at the screen to see your notifications. All the software upgrades are sent directly to the application on your smartphone to keep the wearable gadget updated.

Users also get optional wireless stereo headsets along with the Toq and it goes without saying that the music can be controlled via the watch itself. The accessory designed for comfort also features a woofer and a tweeter. Both the wearable devices can be charged wirelessly on the same charger.

The Qualcomm Toq smartwatch will be available next month for a price of $349.99 in the US.