Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) acquired Flutter, a gesture recognition startup that allows users to control their music and movies using gestures through their standard webcam.
Flutter CEO Naveet Dalal disclosed the acquisition on the company’s website, but did not provide specific details regarding the terms of the transaction. “We are thrilled to announce that we will be continuing our research at Google. We share Google’s passion for 10x thinking, and we’re excited to add their rocket fuel to our journey,” said Dalal.
He added, “We’d like to extend a special thank you to all of our users; your feedback and evangelism inspire us every day. Flutter users will be able to continue to use the app, and stay tuned for future updates.”
Google also confirmed the acquisition. The search engine giant’s spokesperson said, ‘We’re really impressed by the Flutter team’s ability to design new technology based on cutting-edge research. We look forward to supporting and collaborating on their research efforts with Google.”
Tech Crunch suggested that the search engine giant acquired the gesture recognition start-up for approximately $40 million, but the figure is uncertain.
Flutter App is available is available on Mac and it is known as the “Kinect for OS X.” It also works with Google Chrome, YouTube, Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, Grooveshark, & VLC. The app also supports Powerpoint and Keynote. Mac users access the Flutter menu using “ctrl-click” and “right-click” for Windows users. It is one of the most popular free app downloaded by users in 90 countries. Flutter App is the number one free entertainment app in 14 countries since its launching last year.
Flutter received $1.4 million fund from venture capitalists including Andreesen Horowitz, Y Combinator, New Enterprise Associates, Spring Ventures, Start Fund, and several other investors.
Technology observers believed that Google could integrate Flutter’s technology in its wearable devices such as the Google Glass, Android, and many other products. Currently, the tech giant’s Gmail Motion let users control Gmail such as composing and replying messages using body motion detected by a built-in camera through a spatial tracking algorithm.
