CNET is reporting that Apple (AAPL) has bought Particle, a San Francisco-based creative consulting company specializing in Web apps and marketing projects using HTML5.
Founded in early 2008 Particle is a relatively small firm with less than a dozen employees that has done some big projects for big-name clients, such as search giant Google (GOOG), Amazon (AMZN), Yahoo (YHOO), Sony (SNE) and even Apple.
According to CNET, Apple finalized the purchase late last month, bringing over most of Particle’s employees, including founder and Chief Technology Officer Aubry Anderson who also consulted for Apple between 2006 and 2008, according to his LinkedIn profile. CNET also notes that several of Particle employees, whose LinkedIn profiles now list their occupation as “creative technologists” and one as a “user interface engineer”, previously worked with Web Portal Yahoo as part of its user experience design group.
It appears that Apple’s acquisition was directed more at racking up talent as Cupertino continues to increase its focus on HTML 5 on iCloud.com, iAd advertising and its product pages.
From Particle‘s “About” page:
“Particle brings positive and energetic relationships with Google and the Chrome team specifically, as well as great Apple relationships and execution experience around iAds, iTunes Extras, and Apple.com. We have participated in and piloted much of the technology which will display the next generation of advertising and deliver media content for the next decade.”
As for the purchase price, the details are scarce regarding the dollar amount Apple paid for the HTML5 web-app designing firm, and neither party has issued a statement in relation to the matter.
Leave a Reply