Dropbox buys 3D photo-stitching app Bubbli with plans to integrate technology

Dropbox’s desire for photo apps and services has swallowed another company. TechCrunch reports that the cloud-storage service has purchased photo-startup Bubbli for its 3D-photo stitching technology.

According to an email sent by the company’s co-founders, Bubbli’s stitching technology will be integrated into Dropbox’s photo service. While the email indicates that Bubbli users will be able to continue to create “bubbles,” 360-degree photo panoramas with the app, Dropbox has a history of shutting down apps and services after full integration. The photo storage app Snapjoy was shuttered seven months after acquisition.

Here is the full email sent by the co-founders to Bubbli users:

We have some exciting news to share: Dropbox has acquired Bubbli!

We’re thrilled to be joining Dropbox. Bubbli’s goal has always been to capture experiences in a way that feels like you are not just viewing photos but reliving memories. By joining forces, we’ll be able to continue to transform how you experience your memories on a much larger scale.

The bubbles everyone has shared have blown us away. We’re working on integrating bubbles into Dropbox and we’ll keep you posted on our progress. Until then, you can continue capturing bubbles the same way you have in the past!

Thank you for all your support thus far and here’s to the future!

Cheers,
Ben & Terrence
Co-Founders

Bubbli’s iOS app creates 360-degree images without any special hardware. Just tilt your phone and pivot. The  photos are stitched together by the service’s servers in the cloud. The result is a panorama that resembles a bubble. Here is an example of a bubble created by co-founder Terrence McArdle:

For now, the app is still available in the App Store. If you’re interested in using the app before it becomes tied to Dropbox, give it a download.

➤ Bubbli for iPhone

Image Credit: AFP/Getty Images