When I wrote a post at the end of last year on Google’s acquisitions, I didn’t expect that I would have to update it as frequently as I have been recent. I added a new company this morning.
Google has purchased @Last Software, maker of a very nice-looking 3D modeling software package named Sketchup. It appears that the companies had been working together on a plugin to enable people to use the software with Google Earth. I’ve added a couple of details about the purchase in my Google acquisition post, including a rumor from last October and a link to a patent owned by the acquired company.
It’s interesting to speculate on how Google might spend some of the money they gained through their IPO. This seems like some useful software. Jeff Martin, formerly of @Last Software, blogs about his new employer and the change of ownership over at the Google Blog – A new home for @Last Software
What changes will this bring to Sketchup? There’s a very detailed Google Acquisition FAQ’s answering many questions on the deal.
Nice quote on the Sketchup Update page, on what this means to users of the software:
I can’t stress this enough: the future of SketchUp just got a big shot in the arm, so please don’t worry about the product or our mission. Think about it this way: we haven’t traded in the Honda for a Porsche; we’ve strapped a rocket to the Honda. SketchUp is still SketchUp, but now it will go places it couldn’t possibly have gone before.
That’s at least the fourth acquisition of the year for Google, and it does not even spring. Nevertheless, these seem to be getting closer and close together. I wonder what’s next on the shopping list in Mountain View.
(via Google Blogoscoped)