Google has done a software acquisition: it has bought data visualization software Trendalyzer from its parent company Gapminder. It is now making the tool available for free here. From Gapminder’s blog: “Gapminder’s Trendalyzer software unveils the beauty of statistics by converting boring numbers into enjoyable interactive animations. We believe that Google’s acquisition of Trendalyzer will speed up the achievement of this noble goal. Trendalyzer’s developers have left Gapminder to join Google in Mountain View, where Google intends to improve and scale up Trendalyzer, and make it freely available to those who seek access to statistics.”
The Stockholm-based Gapminder Foundation will continue to develop new technologies for data animations.
Update: Also, Friday afternoon, Google finally made its long-reported acquisition of in-game advertising company Adscape Media official. No terms disclosed for the deal, which has closed; the Adscape team has joined Google.  Google has a FAQ about the acquisition. The answer to why did Google acquire Adscape Media? “In-game advertising is an area where we believe Google could add a lot of value to users, advertisers and publishers. Adscape Media’s technology and talented team are a great addition to Google’s current advertising solutions for advertisers and publishers.”
-- Adscape will pay current partners and honor open contracts.
-- No “news to share” about integration plans.
-- Google is in discussions about in-game advertising with small and large game publishing companies.
-- Google isn’t talking market-share specifics—that’s a shock.
Update 2: Adscape’s Bernie Stolar is now Google’s Dean of Games. He writes about the sale on Google’s official blog.
Related:
-- Google Does Buys AdScape After All; For $23 Million: Report
-- Google Potential Deal To Buy AdScape Hits Snag; Looking At Others
-- Google Moving Into In-Game Advertising; In Talks To Buy AdScape Media