Google has acquired Nik Software, the company behind Snapseed photo editing app for desktop and iOS for an undisclosed sum.
The company received a minority equity investment from Japan-based camera company Nikon Corporation, in 2006. Nik was founded in 1995.
Snapseed won Apple’s iPad app of the year award in 2011. Snapseed say they currently have more than 9 million users since its 2011 launch. The Nik software team commented “with Google’s support Nik Software hopes to be able to help millions of people create awesome pictures.
Rival and market leader Instagram was purchased earlier this year by Facebook for $1bn.
Google continues to acquire smaller companies to boost Google+’s standing against rival social media networks. It has already landed Wildfire, software that provides businesses with the ability to place ads on social media sites and MEEBO, an application for mobile communication. MEEBO was purchased for $100m.