Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#1

Post by coloneltcb » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 9:51 PM UTC

link not behind paywall: http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/SB10001424052702304854804579234450633315742-lMyQjAxMTAzMDAwMjEwNDIyWj

Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs
online.wsj.com

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#2

Post by coloneltcb » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 9:59 PM UTC

non paywall link: http://online.wsj.com/news/article_email/SB10001424052702304...

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#3

Post by kristiandupont » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:05 PM UTC

Off topic, but it really annoys me when they write "according to people familiar with the matter." There is very little information in that statement!

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#4

Post by brandnewlow » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:08 PM UTC

The Topsy API is the best way to surface "trend" type data from Twitter. I'm a little confused as to why Apple would make this acquisition, but of the companies doing things in the "make the Twitter firehose accessible" space, Topsy has had the best product for some time.

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#5

Post by gilgoomesh » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:08 PM UTC

kristiandupont wrote: post #3

Off topic, but it really annoys me when they write "according to people familiar with the matter." There is very little information in that statement!

Deals like this are usually confidential so the sources can't reveal themselves for fear of breaching contract.

Yeah, it leaves you in a situation where the information is just a rumor. All you can do is trust (or not) the original publisher of the rumour. The Wall Street Journal is usually pretty good with this type of Apple tidbit.

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#6

Post by esolyt » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:15 PM UTC

Flagged because it's behind a login wall.

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#7

Post by mbesto » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:28 PM UTC

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the deal but wouldn't comment further. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," she said without elaborating further.

Question for those more experienced here, but doesn't "purpose or plans" of acquisitions generally fall under things that you have a duty to share with your shareholders?

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#8

Post by Tycho » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:29 PM UTC

For Siri perhaps?

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#9

Post by aaronblohowiak » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:32 PM UTC

mbesto wrote: post #7

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the deal but wouldn't comment further. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," she said without elaborating further. Question for those more experienced here, but doesn't "purpose or plans" of acquisitions generally fall under things that you have a duty to share with your shareholders?

Depending on the acquisition cost as a percentage of market cap, not really.

Re: Apple Buys Twitter Analytics Startup Topsy Labs

#10

Post by bobbles » Mon, Dec 02, 2013, 10:34 PM UTC

mbesto wrote: post #7

An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the deal but wouldn't comment further. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," she said without elaborating further. Question for those more experienced here, but doesn't "purpose or plans" of acquisitions generally fall under things that you have a duty to share with your shareholders?

AFAIK they are able to stay fairly quiet unless the purchase reaches a certain threshold amount.