Viva video
Skype has entered into a definite agreement to acquire mobile video software firm Qik, in a bid to boost Skype's place in the video space.
The transaction is expected to close this month but both companies are keeping hush about the figures involved in the deal.
Qik, which was founded in 2006 has 60 employees and provides ways for people to capture and share video across mobile devices and the web.
The service is currently available for 200 phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms and allows video messaging, sharing and archiving.
Skype said the acquisition will add recording and sharing capabilities to its product portfolio and give it access to the engineering expertise behind Qik's Smart Streaming technology, which optimises video transmission over wireless networks.
"The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices. Qik's deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype," said Tony Bates, CEO at Skype.
Skype's software currently controls a quarter of the world's international long distance voice calling minutes and around 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video, according to the company.
