It's official: Google acquires GrandCentral
Google has just announced the much-rumored acquisition of communications service GrandCentral. TechCrunch broke the news about the acquisition last week and is now reporting the deal is rumored to be somewhere in the range of $50 million. Details about final price and terms are confidential.
This is Google's latest move into the telecommunications market and one of their biggest. For current GrandCentral customers, service will go uninterrupted. For users interested in signing up, GrandCentral is now limiting sign-ups to invitation only.
The other big change in place as of today is GrandCentral's RingShare service. Previously, users were able to upload their own MP3 sound files for callers to hear instead of the classic tone. Users are now limited to a small selection of licensed music.
There was no other news from either of the companies about integration into Google's various tools and services. Google insists that "there are no specific product plans to discuss at this time."
Josh Lowensohn is an associate editor for Webware.com, CNET's blog about cool and otherwise useful Web applications and services. If you've found a site you'd like profiled, shoot him an e-mail. E-mail Josh.
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