AT&T Buys Mobile App Developer Plusmo

Plusmo, a private company based in Santa Clara, Calif., will be folded into AT&T Interactive, and according to AT&T will see its mobile development platform used by a number of AT&T subsidiaries.

Among other specialties, Plusmo has had success in the past with sports-oriented applications -- including Pro Basketball Scores, Pro Baseball Live and Cricinfo -- and mobile widgets for platforms such as iPhone, BlackBerry, Nokia, Android, Java/J2ME and WAP.

Terms of the deal were not made public.

"Plusmo's technology will help us build upon the success and momentum we're experiencing in mobile local search, which continues to see strong growth," said David Krantz, president and CEO of AT&T Interactive, in a statement. "The addition of Plusmo adds a new dimension to our technology prowess through its multiplatform approach. It highlights our commitment to invest in mobile application innovation and search leadership."

The move comes as a number of telcos begin to dabble in the creation and management of mobile device applications. AT&T apps include YPmobile, an app based around its YellowPages.com offering. Verizon is another big player with a burgeoning apps business, thanks to its VCast service.

"With the increasing demand for mobile services and applications, it's an opportune time for Plusmo to be joining the AT&T family," said Krishna Vedati, CEO of Plusmo, in a statement. "Plusmo's mobile platform capabilities will help contribute to AT&T's effort to accelerate consumer adoption of mobile applications as well as expand the opportunity for publishers, media brands, service companies and developers to reach a large and coveted audience across a broad range of devices."