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Google acquires photo backup and sharing app Odysee

As part of a possible effort to improve the Google+ Photos experience, the Mountain View company has acquired the team behind Odysee, an app that automatically backed up images from a mobile device to a desktop and also let users easily share content privately with friends and family.

“Odysee’s vision was to be the easiest way for everyone to capture unlimited memories and access them everywhere,” the startup said on its website on Sunday, adding that its integration into the Google+ team means it can “continue to focus on building amazing products that people love.”

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The mobile software has already disappeared from the Google Play and iOS app stores as Odysee developers presumably set about integrating its technology into Google’s Photos offering while at the same time working on new software.

Google’s move to acquire Odysee follows a suggestion first heard last summer that the Web giant is considering separating its Photos service from Google+ and launching it as an independent product. With this in mind, bringing in the folks behind Odysee could certainly be seen as a step toward this goal, with the team’s talent and technology utilized to help build out the new product.

In a note to current users, Odysee says its service will continue operating until February 23, whereupon users’ photos and videos will be made available as a downloadable archive.

To learn more about how Odysee worked and the kind of features its technology offers, check out DT’s recent piece on the app, or hit play on the video below.

[Via TechCrunch]

Trevor Mogg
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