The success of the App Store has lead several iPhone development houses, and their applications, to become targets for acquisition by larger companies. Following Amazon’s purchase of Lexcycle, maker of the iPhone book-reading application Stanza, IAC, an internet media company that also runs Citysearch, Ask.com, Match.com, and Evite, has announced its acquisition of UrbanSpoon, based in part on the strength and popularity of its iPhone and iPod touch application. These latest acquisitions are the latest in a string that includes Barnes & Noble’s purchase of Fictionwise, which included an iPhone e-reader app, and blogging service Tumblr’s acquisition of the app Tumblrette, which is now offered to users as the official Tumblr app. [via Fortune]
Charles Starrett
Charles Starrett was a senior editor at iLounge. He's been covering the iPod, iPhone, and iPad since their inception. He has written numerous articles and reviews, and his work has been featured in multiple publications.