Google Buys Mobile App Tool Fabric From Twitter

Google Buys Mobile App Tool Fabric From Twitter

Google is buying one of Twitter’s remaining parts, according to Bloomberg. Alphabet’s online search division agreed to purchase Fabric, a Twitter business that provides a software toolkit for mobile apps. The companies didn’t disclose financial terms.

For Twitter, the deal allows it to offload another asset as it faces pressure to deliver growth. For Google, which is absorbing Twitter employees working on Fabric, the acquisition is designed to help it recruit mobile developers, a key constituent, to its cloud computing service.

"When we look at Fabric, we see it as a great opportunity to bring together two amazing developer platforms, to really have the best of breeds," said Jason Titus, vice president of Google’s Developer Product Group. As part of the deal, Google also gets Crashlytics, Twitter’s popular tool for tracking software failures. Titus wouldn’t say how many employees are moving over as part of that service.

Fabric’s departure from Twitter is another sign of the social media company slimming down. Twitter executives have been seeking ways to sharpen the company’s focus as user and revenue growth slows. During a failed process last year to find a buyer for the whole company, management also discussed spinning off non-core assets. Twitter recently shut down Vine, its short-form video product.