Image recognition startup, SnapTell that lets users identify products has been acquired by Amazon’s A9. The terms and finances for the deal remain undisclosed. The startup utilizes visual product search technology and enables users to identify any product by simply taking a photo of any item; books, DVDs, etc and then extracts the items’ rating and price from online services like Amazon, Google to name a few. With a database of over 5 million and an app for the iPhone to do the business, SnapTell is definitely a must have tool for all shopping enthusiasts.
This definitely shows the interest in Image recognition. Next on the list will be kooaba. Curious about the buyer. There are many players around.
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Well both Snaptell and Kooaba were not the first nor second in this field. Others, with very relevant IP, are out there (Google bought one, Nokia another). It could end up being the barcode thing all over again – the first working Imager Recognition companies had commercial stuff out in 2004, well before Kooaba or Snaptell were even formed. I doubt their IP will not be used, for product development or blocking competitors, by some big company.
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