Microsoft buys startup to boost Web, mobile services
InfoWorld | at | by Mike
Microsoft has purchased Seattle startup WebFives, which provides a Web-based file-sharing service for Internet and mobile video, photos, audio, and blogs, according to a message posted on the startup's Web site.
WebFives, previously called Vizrea, was founded by former Microsoft Distinguished Engineer Michael Toutonghi, who helped pioneer the Media Center version of the Windows OS, many of the features of which found their way into Windows Vista.
On the WebFives Web site, a message attributed to Toutonghi said Microsoft agreed to purchase the company in November, and WebFives will close and shut down its service on Dec. 31. The service gives users a hosted Web site to which they can automatically upload multimedia content from mobile devices as well as other features.