America Online continues its new acquisition-splurge by buying Wildseed Ltd. to leverage AOL's content and services into wireless devices.
After snatching up online storage provide Xdrive last week, AOL continues its latest acquisition binge by purchasing the privately-held wireless technology company Wildseed, Ltd. for an undisclosed amount.
Wildseed develops software technologies which enable users to customize their wireless devices; their products include SmartSkin interactive accessories and the Linux-based Curitel Identity wireless handset. Wildseed is based in Kirkland, Washington and headed up by Microsoft vet Eric Engstrom, who co-invented DirectX and later managed MSN Internet Access.
AOL’s interest in Wildseed lies in developing data-centered technologies for mobile phones, such as rolling out new services tied to its forthcoming revamp of AOL.com, including search-and-purchase services tied to AOL’s digital music service. AOL also plans to offer Wildseed-based technologies for non-Linux phones.
