Comments on: More Merger Rumors – Xuqa, Dovetail, Zooomr http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:21:46 -0800 hourly 1 By: Respectance.com » 2006 » September » 21 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-727712 Respectance.com » 2006 » September » 21 Tue, 16 Jan 2007 20:33:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-727712 [...] (Techcrunch) The acquisition rumor train is running at full steam. We’ve got the really small deals going through ebay (see our post yesterday rounding up the recent ones), and lots of chatter about the largest independent web sites looking for $1 - $2 billion (see Facebook and YouTube). Even Napster, a public company with $100 million in the bank, is looking for love. More… [...] [...] (Techcrunch) The acquisition rumor train is running at full steam. We’ve got the really small deals going through ebay (see our post yesterday rounding up the recent ones), and lots of chatter about the largest independent web sites looking for $1 – $2 billion (see Facebook and YouTube). Even Napster, a public company with $100 million in the bank, is looking for love. More… [...]

]]> By: AOL Pictures goes social and it’s not pretty » JenIT http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-229192 AOL Pictures goes social and it’s not pretty » JenIT Thu, 28 Sep 2006 15:36:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-229192 [...] The new Yahoo! Photos came out last month and is better, but Flickr is much better still. If you’re going to follow Flickr’s lead, as everyone appears to be doing - at least do it well. Or acquire someone who’s doing something really interesting. Online video editing is the most obvious next direction for video sharing and Yahoo! just bought Jumpcut this morning. There are any number of interesting little photo sharing sites that are at least doing a better job at the state of the art than AOL Pictures. Two off the top of my head are Photoblog.com and BubbleShare (who are doing some very cool stuff). Zooomr is apparently on the market as well. [...] [...] The new Yahoo! Photos came out last month and is better, but Flickr is much better still. If you’re going to follow Flickr’s lead, as everyone appears to be doing – at least do it well. Or acquire someone who’s doing something really interesting. Online video editing is the most obvious next direction for video sharing and Yahoo! just bought Jumpcut this morning. There are any number of interesting little photo sharing sites that are at least doing a better job at the state of the art than AOL Pictures. Two off the top of my head are Photoblog.com and BubbleShare (who are doing some very cool stuff). Zooomr is apparently on the market as well. [...]

]]> By: Techcrunch » Blog Archive » AOL Pictures goes social and it’s not pretty http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-227215 Techcrunch » Blog Archive » AOL Pictures goes social and it’s not pretty Wed, 27 Sep 2006 22:59:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-227215 [...] The new Yahoo! Photos came out last month and is better, but Flickr is much better still. If you’re going to follow Flickr’s lead, as everyone appears to be doing - at least do it well. Or acquire someone who’s doing something really interesting. Online video editing is the most obvious next direction for video sharing and Yahoo! just bought Jumpcut this morning. There are any number of interesting little photo sharing sites that are at least doing a better job at the state of the art than AOL Pictures. Two off the top of my head are Photoblog.com and BubbleShare (who are doing some very cool stuff). Zooomr is apparently on the market as well. [...] [...] The new Yahoo! Photos came out last month and is better, but Flickr is much better still. If you’re going to follow Flickr’s lead, as everyone appears to be doing – at least do it well. Or acquire someone who’s doing something really interesting. Online video editing is the most obvious next direction for video sharing and Yahoo! just bought Jumpcut this morning. There are any number of interesting little photo sharing sites that are at least doing a better job at the state of the art than AOL Pictures. Two off the top of my head are Photoblog.com and BubbleShare (who are doing some very cool stuff). Zooomr is apparently on the market as well. [...]

]]> By: Peter T. http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-216445 Peter T. Sat, 23 Sep 2006 14:44:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-216445 There are just too many rumors out there those days, facebook/Youtube for 1 bill? How? and why? There are just too many rumors out there those days, facebook/Youtube for 1 bill? How? and why?

]]> By: Daniel Miller http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-215745 Daniel Miller Sat, 23 Sep 2006 06:23:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-215745 Kodak can build "zooomr-like" website for a fraction of acquisition cost. Kodak can build “zooomr-like” website for a fraction of acquisition cost.

]]> By: JimBob http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214979 JimBob Fri, 22 Sep 2006 20:59:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214979 Whats the deal with dovetail? Whats the deal with dovetail?

]]> By: WormInBuffet http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214751 WormInBuffet Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:25:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214751 I no longer believe any of these rumor buyout "news". Step 1: launch a start up Step 2: Give tech blogs a sneak peak to build buzz Step 3: Make announcements of profitability or huge membership growth (who's double checking the figures?) Step 4: Contact the blogs in Step 2 to spread rumors of a buyout in the millions Step 5: Respond to the postings on these blogs with "I can't confirm or deny" confirmations and testimonials. Step 6: Wait to see if the buzz builds to the point that there is an actual offer. Step 7: Repeat Step 1 I no longer believe any of these rumor buyout “news”.

Step 1: launch a start up

Step 2: Give tech blogs a sneak peak to build buzz

Step 3: Make announcements of profitability or huge membership growth (who’s double checking the figures?)

Step 4: Contact the blogs in Step 2 to spread rumors of a buyout in the millions

Step 5: Respond to the postings on these blogs with “I can’t confirm or deny” confirmations and testimonials.

Step 6: Wait to see if the buzz builds to the point that there is an actual offer.

Step 7: Repeat Step 1

]]> By: Jeremy Pepper http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214723 Jeremy Pepper Fri, 22 Sep 2006 17:54:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214723 I agree Kevin - Kodak would be insane to buy Zooomr. I just look at it from the other side of the fence, though - is Zooomr worth it? Plus, nothing kills an acquisition faster than loose lips. And lips seem to be overly loose right now. I agree Kevin – Kodak would be insane to buy Zooomr. I just look at it from the other side of the fence, though – is Zooomr worth it?

Plus, nothing kills an acquisition faster than loose lips. And lips seem to be overly loose right now.

]]> By: Brian Dixon http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214555 Brian Dixon Fri, 22 Sep 2006 16:37:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214555 Congrats Xuqa, I had a chance to speak with Murtaza (During my Northeastern Days in Boston) and with Ali out in Cali during the tech crunch events. I've watched Xuqa take a "best of" in the industry and put their spin on it. THIS is how social networking gets better for the users. Props on the potential sale. -B. Dixon Congrats Xuqa,

I had a chance to speak with Murtaza (During my Northeastern Days in Boston) and with Ali out in Cali during the tech crunch events. I’ve watched Xuqa take a “best of” in the industry and put their spin on it. THIS is how social networking gets better for the users. Props on the potential sale.
-B. Dixon

]]> By: Hass Khan http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214518 Hass Khan Fri, 22 Sep 2006 16:05:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214518 Great Work XuQa...Have worked for XuQa thats why i no how much effort they have put in that .You guys deserved that seriously ...Well for those who dont have any idea whose behind that well i must say they aint humans lols...They are robots who u can find 24/7 working ...Take Murtaza Hussain( Murtiii in short ~~~i still dont understand why u have three i's there )Anyways i havent seen this guy partying anytime ...all he has been doing is XuQa nuffin else .Sometimes working sometimes just giving tension to the workers to speed up ...i still remember his words "Man hurry up we gotaa upload today " lols ...........Then Ali (mojo jojo ;) ) ...This guy is the sweetest person i ever met ....Prosper well wat should i say about u man ..U just rock ....Congrats all of u ...and btw u guys have a long way to go 30 million will be converted into 300 million in no time :)....XuQa Rocks Great Work XuQa…Have worked for XuQa thats why i no how much effort they have put in that .You guys deserved that seriously …Well for those who dont have any idea whose behind that well i must say they aint humans lols…They are robots who u can find 24/7 working …Take Murtaza Hussain( Murtiii in short ~~~i still dont understand why u have three i’s there )Anyways i havent seen this guy partying anytime …all he has been doing is XuQa nuffin else .Sometimes working sometimes just giving tension to the workers to speed up …i still remember his words “Man hurry up we gotaa upload today ” lols ………..Then Ali (mojo jojo ;) ) …This guy is the sweetest person i ever met ….Prosper well wat should i say about u man ..U just rock ….Congrats all of u …and btw u guys have a long way to go 30 million will be converted into 300 million in no time :) ….XuQa Rocks

]]> By: Janson http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214369 Janson Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:23:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214369 Zooomr.com is the Zombo.com of photo sites. :) "You can do anything with zombo.com" Zooomr.com is the Zombo.com of photo sites. :)

“You can do anything with zombo.com”

]]> By: NeoTechie http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214367 NeoTechie Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:23:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214367 To successfully compete companies are either working together or buying each other out. Who is next? To successfully compete companies are either working together or buying each other out. Who is next?

]]> By: Janson http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214359 Janson Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:19:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214359 Zooomr.com Zooomr.com

]]> By: Jav http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214347 Jav Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:08:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214347 Should Zooomr rake in a speculated 1/5th of what Flickr made through the Yahoo deal I'm sure the crew there will be rolling their eyes for awhile. Flickr already caught up Z with the few "new" features they offered above their completely ripped-off service and is atleast a year ahead in every other department. Kristopher, if you nevertheless do make a killing, kudos :) Should Zooomr rake in a speculated 1/5th of what Flickr made through the Yahoo deal I’m sure the crew there will be rolling their eyes for awhile. Flickr already caught up Z with the few “new” features they offered above their completely ripped-off service and is atleast a year ahead in every other department. Kristopher, if you nevertheless do make a killing, kudos :)

]]> By: Raj http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214346 Raj Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:08:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214346 To speak openly about or respond to speculation regarding aquisition talks is a mistake. To speak openly about or respond to speculation regarding aquisition talks is a mistake.

]]> By: TonyB http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214332 TonyB Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:58:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214332 Zooomr has a lot features, but what do they really do for you? Sometimes it strikes me more as a programmer's playground than as a great way to view photos. I know they are working hard at it, and have accomplished a lot of great things, but I find all the gadgets and gizmo's get in the way of the experience. Tony Zooomr has a lot features, but what do they really do for you? Sometimes it strikes me more as a programmer’s playground than as a great way to view photos. I know they are working hard at it, and have accomplished a lot of great things, but I find all the gadgets and gizmo’s get in the way of the experience.

Tony

]]> By: Robert Dewey http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214323 Robert Dewey Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:48:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214323 I've never used Flickr... If I had to choose between Flickr or Zooomr, it would have to be Zooomr. I’ve never used Flickr… If I had to choose between Flickr or Zooomr, it would have to be Zooomr.

]]> By: Zeeman http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214209 Zeeman Fri, 22 Sep 2006 13:04:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214209 XuQa definately deserves a sale IMO, if they are really profitable. The found a way to monetize a network besides just adding stuff to your hompie, ala CyWorld. THAT business model will only work in certain climates (read: Korean and Japan). Peanuts are huge. 30 mil though might be too much. I would think around 20+ is a better estimatation keeping in mind their user base. XuQa definately deserves a sale IMO, if they are really profitable. The found a way to monetize a network besides just adding stuff to your hompie, ala CyWorld. THAT business model will only work in certain climates (read: Korean and Japan). Peanuts are huge. 30 mil though might be too much. I would think around 20+ is a better estimatation keeping in mind their user base.

]]> By: Wes http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-214052 Wes Fri, 22 Sep 2006 11:39:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-214052 As we have seen over and over, many times it isn't the features that are valuable, it is the user base. Zoomr just can't match the user base that flickr has developed... That is the only reason I stay with flickr even though it takes way to long for new features, everyone else I know is there. As we have seen over and over, many times it isn’t the features that are valuable, it is the user base. Zoomr just can’t match the user base that flickr has developed… That is the only reason I stay with flickr even though it takes way to long for new features, everyone else I know is there.

]]> By: David Primo http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-213598 David Primo Fri, 22 Sep 2006 08:26:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-213598 I'd personally value Zoomr at more than $10+ million, Flickr, when acquired by Yahoo wasn't even close to being as feature packed I’d personally value Zoomr at more than $10+ million, Flickr, when acquired by Yahoo wasn’t even close to being as feature packed

]]> By: Kristopher Tate http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-213480 Kristopher Tate Fri, 22 Sep 2006 07:26:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-213480 I cannot confirm nor deny that we are in talks with Kodak, though we are in aggressive talks with different companies. Nothing has been solidified yet either way, so we'll see what shakes out, but until then I'm hauling ass on refining and presenting new features. We released ZMail today and we'll be continuing to roll-out new community features constantly up-and-through mid October. -Kristopher I cannot confirm nor deny that we are in talks with Kodak, though we are in aggressive talks with different companies.

Nothing has been solidified yet either way, so we’ll see what shakes out, but until then I’m hauling ass on refining and presenting new features.

We released ZMail today and we’ll be continuing to roll-out new community features constantly up-and-through mid October.

-Kristopher

]]> By: Kevin Burton http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-213400 Kevin Burton Fri, 22 Sep 2006 06:46:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-213400 First. Christopher. Don't open your moutn about an acquisition until it's complete... Second... don't sell to Kodak..... are you crazy?! They'll just crush it..... Kevin First. Christopher. Don’t open your moutn about an acquisition until it’s complete…

Second… don’t sell to Kodak….. are you crazy?! They’ll just crush it…..

Kevin

]]> By: mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-213360 mark Fri, 22 Sep 2006 06:19:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-213360 When is Zombo.com going to get acquired?? http://www.zombo.com When is Zombo.com going to get acquired??

http://www.zombo.com

]]> By: JoeB http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-212939 JoeB Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:42:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-212939 http://digg.com/programming/Mobile_AJAX_Coming_Soon! mfoundry.com looking to get into bed with Nokia after a round of recent layoffs. http://digg.com...JAX_Coming_Soon!

mfoundry.com looking to get into bed with Nokia after a round of recent layoffs.

]]> By: Chris D http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/comment-page-1/#comment-212918 Chris D Fri, 22 Sep 2006 02:26:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/09/21/more-merger-rumors-xuqa-dovetail-zooomr/#comment-212918 DoveTail: Great to hear some smaller internet video offerings being snapped up these days in askew of mega-deals with YouTube. Same with the Grouper acquisition a few weeks ago. As they say: "A rising tide lifts all boats." Since Internet Video is such an uncertain business as it stands now, it makes sense that smaller deals will probably be preferable to suitors to keep the cash risk low. DoveTail: Great to hear some smaller internet video offerings being snapped up these days in askew of mega-deals with YouTube. Same with the Grouper acquisition a few weeks ago. As they say: “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Since Internet Video is such an uncertain business as it stands now, it makes sense that smaller deals will probably be preferable to suitors to keep the cash risk low.

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