Microsoft to acquire MobiComp

Microsoft Corp. says it will acquire Portugese software firm MobiComp, which helped pioneer technologies allowing the backup and restoration of mobile data and mobile posting of social content to Web sites such as Facebook, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition will strengthen Microsoft's mobile technologies through the Braga-based MobiComp's data protection and sharing services

''People expect their phones to deliver the best experiences from PCs and the Web right to their pockets,'' says Todd Peters, corporate vice president in the mbile communications business at Microsoft. ''Investing in the right solutions from companies like MobiComp will extend the capabilities of Windows Mobile and Windows Live to help us provide the most innovative and seamless way to stay connected.''

The Portugal-based company is known for a variety of breakthrough mobile services including MobileKeeper Backup & Restore, MobileKeeper Sharing & Communities, and Active mTicker. These services help mobile operators and mobile users back up personal content stored on a phone, publish updates to online communities, and get entertainment and news content delivered to phones.

''Like Microsoft, we've always believed in an open and innovative mobile platform and deep industry partnerships,'' said Carlos Oliveira, co-founder and CEO of MobiComp. ''We're thrilled that our work over the past eight years can now be extended by partnering with Microsoft's world-class portfolio of mobile services.''

MobiComp will contribute to a rapidly expanding list of offerings from Microsoft's mobile communications business while continuing to serve its existing partners and customers, which include 11 mobile operators worldwide.

Fifty handset makers build on the Windows Mobile platform, and 160 mobile operators in 55 countries carry Windows Mobile phones. The services of Windows Live, including one of the largest free instant messaging services and blogging services, run on every major mobile operating system worldwide.

''We're extremely pleased with this announcement, which reflects our country's leadership in innovative technology,'' said Nuno Duarte, general manager of Microsoft Portugal. ''It highlights the success of our prime minister's economic policies and serves as proof of Microsoft's commitment to the partnership signed between Portugal's government and Bill Gates two years ago. Following several top companywide awards for Microsoft Portugal, this is further evidence of our visibility in Microsoft's worldwide efforts.''