OZ Buys Thumbspeed: Is The Mobile Messaging Market Consolidating?

Mobile messaging platform company OZ this week said it acquired Thumbspeed, a maker of mobile messaging and personalization applications, from Hands-On Mobile for an undisclosed amount. What does this deal mean for the mobile messaging market?The two companies say they plan to develop improved mobile e-mail, messaging, and social networking services. The combined solution will be available across a number of mobile platforms including Java, BREW, Symbian, Windows, BlackBerry and Palm.

"Thumbspeed has done a great job in building some of the most innovative and advanced Mobile Messaging Clients in the world. We are very excited to welcome Thumbspeed customers, partners and employees to OZ," said Skuli Mogensen, CEO and Founder of OZ, in a statement. "Joining forces with Thumbspeed will allow OZ to fulfill our vision: to give consumers what they want -- easy and affordable access to their existing and favorite IM, Email and Social Networking services on their mobile phones."

One mobile messaging company buys a smaller messaging company. I'd say this means that the consumer side of mobile messaging is about to consolidate. I also think it means that mobile messaging companies like OZ are getting ready to fight the juggernaut of Google, especially as Google continues to aggressively push its mobile e-mail and messaging solutions.