Google Buys Nik Software

[Canon Rumors]

From left field

Google Inc said it bought Germany-based Nik Software, which makes photo editing application Snapseed, a rival to Instagram, for an undisclosed amount.

“We want to help our users create photos they absolutely love, and in our experience Nik does this better than anyone,” said Vic Gundotra, senior vice president, engineering, on a Google+ post.

Source: [Reuters]

*EDIT: Reuters is a bit incorrect, Snapseed really isn’t a competitor to Instagram, perhaps they hope to push it that way. I guess it’s safe to say that Nik applications will probably find their way to Android.

cr

[cbphoto]

This does not excite me. The last time a juggernaut bought a small company (Microsoft & iView Media Pro), the software languished to the point that it wasn't worth using. (I'm thankful for Phase One stopping that descent).

[mustafa]

Love Nik products, let's hope Google can sort out their update notification/activate process, which is, let's just say, sub-optimal.  Certainly not as effective as OnOne's, or even Adobe's.

[thesecretbarn]

Snapseed is a rival to Instagram? Maybe in the way that Lightroom is a rival to Flickr. They do completely different things.

[Canon Rumors]

Snapseed is a rival to Instagram? Maybe in the way that Lightroom is a rival to Flickr. They do completely different things.

I agree, I updated the post.

[K-amps]

$50 Complete Nik Suite 2013 FTW !

[kukhuvud]

$50 Complete Nik Suite 2013 FTW !

That would make my day even at $250

[darrellrhodesmiller]

these are by far my fav plugins.. colorFX and silverFX are phenominal.. Dfine and their new HDR 2.0 are VERY VERY good too.. i hope google takes them under their wing but doesnt ruin them.

D

[jalbfb]

Love Nik products, let's hope Google can sort out their update notification/activate process, which is, let's just say, sub-optimal.  Certainly not as effective as OnOne's, or even Adobe's.

YIKES!  I agree.  I have NIK complete so I hope this doesn't effect it in anyway and that they continue with their extensive amount of free educational videos.

[dirtcastle]

Apparently Nik was in business for 17 years. Wow. One thing to consider is that Nik might not have been very profitable; and so this would be a well-deserved reward for the founders.

I agree that this probably does not bode well for Nik's pro / client-based apps. It seems likely that Google will carry various Nik features into new Google products. But it does seem likely that Google will discontinue the Nik software line in its current form. This acquisition of Nik could also be an "acqui-hire" where they simply want to use the Nik team on totally new Google projects.

R.I.P. Silver Efex???

[zim]

Wonder how many Apple patents this buyout will get round? 

As always with this sort of things I hope the codes jobs are secure, I'm sure the directors will be fine 

[Canon-F1]

another buyout..... sad.

horrible news i guess... judging from past experiences.

[LetTheRightLensIn]

This does not excite me. The last time a juggernaut bought a small company (Microsoft & iView Media Pro), the software languished to the point that it wasn't worth using. (I'm thankful for Phase One stopping that descent).

Yeah, maybe it works out, but it does seem a bit worrisome....
too bad I think
we will see
but very worrisome
the only plugins i use

[Meh]

Apparently Nik was in business for 17 years. Wow. One thing to consider is that Nik might not have been very profitable; and so this would be a well-deserved reward for the founders.

I agree that this probably does not bode well for Nik's pro / client-based apps. It seems likely that Google will carry various Nik features into new Google products. But it does seem likely that Google will discontinue the Nik software line in its current form. This acquisition of Nik could also be an "acqui-hire" where they simply want to use the Nik team on totally new Google projects.

R.I.P. Silver Efex???

Maybe, that happens a lot... more and more it seems.  But in this case I doubt it (or I hope not) since Nik is a very well established and respected brand, with a revenue stream (profit unknown though), and good following among photogs.  Keeping the full brand alive gives Google credibility in photography which most pundits agree images are key now to social networks.

And with the purchase getting Snapspeed (totally agree NOT comparable to Instagram) Google shows they are focused on good image tools for mobile not just on popular image sharing portals.  Combine that with the great Nik tools and Google could have a real presence.  Google+ is focused on quality (not to say it's popular generally but it is among many photgraphers) not quick hits so this all makes sense.

This is a really cool acquisition for Google.  Having said that.... will Google make it better or destroy it?  Time will tell.

[t.linn]

these are by far my fav plugins.. colorFX and silverFX are phenominal.. Dfine and their new HDR 2.0 are VERY VERY good too.. i hope google takes them under their wing but doesnt ruin them.

D

Exactly.  Nik seems head and shoulders above everyone else.  I sometimes wonder if Adobe doesn't wish some of Nik's software engineers worked for them.  It would be a shame if this killed off Nik as we know it.

Having said that, Vic Gondotra is an amateur photographer himself so it's not like he doesn't appreciate what they're getting.