London-based social media aggregator TweetDeck, has been reportedly bought by Twitter for $40m (£25m).
CNN Money has reported, citing sources, that the micro-blogging site has acquired TweetDeck for $40m in a mix of cash and stock.
This is the second time this month that such a rumour has floated in the tech world. In the first week of this month, TechCrunch reported a similar deal.
TweetDeck is a third party customer of Twitter, which uses apps for Internet social networking services. TweetDeck calls itself a personal browser for users to connect with contacts across Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and the like.
It offers a free download for applications designed for different devices including desktops, smartphones and tablet computers.
Using TweetDeck, one can connect with Facebook and MySpace friends directly from TweetDeck by updating one’s status, posting photos or videos, commenting or liking. You can also customise the Twitter experience with columns, groups, saved searches and automatic updates.
Twitter has not commented on the rumour so far.
UPDATE:
In a statement, TweetDeck Founder and CEO Iain Dodsworth said, "I am extremely happy and proud to let you know that TweetDeck has been acquired by Twitter. We completed the deal on Tuesday and are now in the process of ‘joining the flock’."
"The mainstream Twitter user-base is well catered for by twitter.com and the official mobile clients. And by becoming part of the official platform, TweetDeck will now fill that role for brands, influencers, the highly active and anyone that just needs ‘more power’."
Reuters has also reported that Twitter has confirmed that it has bought TweetDeck. Terms of the transaction are undisclosed, but according to sources the deal could be for up to $50m.
