UPDATED 18:09 EDT / FEBRUARY 27 2017

APPS

Mozilla buys read-it-later app Pocket and promises to open-source it

Firefox browser maker Mozilla Corp. announced today that it has acquired Pocket, a popular cross-platform app that allows users to easily save web content and sync it across multiple devices for offline viewing.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Pocket will be joining the company as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mozilla.

Mozilla’s purchase of Pocket is something of a homecoming, as the app began its life as a free Firefox browser extension called Read It Later. In the beginning, Pocket simply allowed users to save webpages in their browser so they could view them when they were offline, but the platform eventually added cloud support, allowing users to backup their saved content and sync it across multiple devices. Over the years, support for Pocket has also been baked into a number of other apps, such as Flipboard, Twitter, Feedly and hundreds of others.

Mozilla said that the acquisition of Pocket will contribute to the company’s focus on growing its mobile presence and providing users with better content discovery tools. Pocket is already integrated directly into Firefox, and according to Mozilla, the service has more than 10 million active monthly registered users who have saved more 3 billion pieces of content to date.

“We believe that the discovery and accessibility of high-quality web content is key to keeping the Internet healthy by fighting against the rising tide of centralization and walled gardens,” Mozilla Chief Executive Chris Beard said in a statement. “Pocket provides people with the tools they need to engage with and share content on their own terms, independent of hardware platform or content silo, for a safer, more empowered and independent online experience.”

Mozilla noted in its statement that Pocket will not only be joining the company, but the app will also become part of the Mozilla open source project, a nonprofit initiative that aims to encourage open source development, especially for the Internet. The company’s Firefox browser is also open source, which is what allowed it to become one of the first web browsers to have widespread support for applike extensions such as Pocket.

Image: Mozilla

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