YouTube, a subsidiary of Google (GOOG), is completing a deal to buy popular online video streaming website Twitch. The deal, valued at more than $1 Billion, would be the most significant acquisition by YouTube in its short history. Although no official statement has been released, sources close to YouTube have reported that the deal is imminent, despite Twitch’s public relations director stating that “Twitch does not comment on rumors."
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Tinder, Spark Your Relationship
Recently, there has been a flurry of iOS dating applications, many of which belong to major dating websites eager to reach their customers through an alternative medium. These applications, although extremely popular, maintain a certain negative appeal. Thus, serious dating companies, like Match.com (a subsidiary of IAC), have updated their iPhone applications to emulate the design of socially acceptable apps, such as Tinder.
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Drunken Protection
Have you ever stumbled back to your dorm drunk, with one shoe on, both socks missing, someone’s hat on your head, and marker covering your face? Have you ever witnessed a drunk and sloppy friend embark on his homeward adventure, concerned, and eager to call him later to ensure he arrived safely?
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China's Twitter Twin
Last Thursday (April 17) Weibo (WB), a premier Chinese social media company, began trading on the NASDAQ. Weibo’s social media app is widely considered to be the “Chinese” version of Twitter (TWTR). Most interest in Weibo’s IPO stems from investor concern over future Chinese listings on American exchanges. For many prospective investors, Weibo is considered a case study meant to reflect the success of Alibaba’s future IPO.
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Practice Safe Text
Mark Cuban continues to expand his already impressive portfolio by entering the social media market with a new iOS messaging app, Cyber Dust. The billionaire has invested heavily in the development and promotion of Cyber Dust, describing the app as a combination of Snapchat and WhatsApp. However, unlike Snapchat, Cyber Dust focuses on providing users a secure mobile messaging experience.
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Investors Hungry For IPOs
In the midst of an abysmal past two weeks on Wall Street, a mobile food ordering app, GrubHub (GRUB), went public. Last Friday (April 11) CEO Matt Maloney overlooked the NYSE trading floor to witness the results of his company’s IPO. Initial investor demand was so high that the company raised its initial offering target price from $20-22 to $23-25, and saw its stock shoot up 50% to $39 before eventually ending the day around $34.
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Never Leave Your Wingman
Ever wanted to join the mile high club? There’s an app for that and its name is Wingman: a new application that aims to be the “Tinder of the skies.” The apps’ purpose is to connect people that are at the same airport, or even on the same flight (for better or for worse). The application is still in its beta stage, but is supposed to have a design similar to that of Tinder.
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