Nik software bought by google.

The word is that Google wanted Snapseed to compete with Facebook/Instagram so hopefully they'll leave all the photographer's software alone.
 
terryt said:
The word is that Google wanted Snapseed to compete with Facebook/Instagram so hopefully they'll leave all the photographer's software alone.
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Problem is the only example I can think of where Google hasn't straight up absorbed a company is Sketch up and while I've only dabbled a few times, from what I understand the take over wasn't a good thing.

I'm hoping Snapseed will be absorbed (seems the point of the take over unless I'm missing something) and then the rest will at least see a price cut thanks to Google subsidising the cost of development. I'd love to have a proper go on Silver Efex but at €180 it's way too spendy for me.

I love the idea of these plugins (both Nik and OnOne) but the money involved is crazy.
 
Oh dear. I've just started using Nik's plug-ins, hopefully I can continue using them. They seem fantastic and I've barely scratched the surface.
 
julianhj said:
Oh dear. I've just started using Nik's plug-ins, hopefully I can continue using them. They seem fantastic and I've barely scratched the surface.
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I can't see it affecting the current range for a while, but it may mean no more versions. It shouldn't affect the ones people have already, although support may stop.
 
They are well regarded but way out of my price range
 
It is a bit worrying! Selling out to Google may mean their focus changes to more profitable web apps with less development on the serious plugin side. Hope its not the end as they have produced an amazing set of tools that are unrivaled in my opinion.
 
sharris86 said:
It is a bit worrying! Selling out to Google may mean their focus changes to more profitable web apps with less development on the serious plugin side.
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Given that it's Google that have bought them, it's entirely feasible that Snapspeed is the less (or even non-) profitable part of Nik's business, but they simply wanted to acquire it to get into that market and keep it from the hands of Twitter. It fits with their wider strategy and the profits from either Snapspeed and the photo plugins are small change and quite possibly irrelevant for a company of Google's size.

Don't forget that, earlier this year, Facebook (well, Mark Zuckerberg) paid $1 billion for Instagram, a company two year old company with 13 employees, no revenue and no revenue model - i.e. they're still trying to work out how to make money from it.
 
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I think they just wanted snapseed the rest is just baggage, don't think they will change
 
Just seen this posted on google, don't know how reliable it is though.

"Vic Gundotra
09:14 - Public
Photography first: for everyone, and for professionals

Earlier this week I proudly welcomed +Nik Software to Google. They've been making pictures more awesome for 17 years, and we're excited to bring Nik's expertise to the entire Google+ community!

I also want to make something clear: we're going to continue offering and improving Nik's high-end tools and plug-ins. Professionals across the globe use Nik to create the perfect moment in their photographs (e.g., http://goo.gl/aDtkO), and we care deeply about their artistry.

Together with Nik, we'll continue to put "photography first."""
 
Vic Gundotra is senior VP of engineering at Google so I suspect that's as good a guarantee your going to get of googles intentions.

A quick scan of his G+ feed shows him to be a Canon shooter.
 
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