Yandex Acquires Mobile Software Developer SPB For $38 Million

The Russian search giant Yandex (Moscow, Russia) has acquired SPB Software.

SPB Software is an international developer of mobile software with offices in in Russia, Taiwan, and Thailand. Sources close to the deal say that it was set at approximately $38 million.

SPB was founded in 1999 and was originally focused on making applications and software for Android and Windows mobile devices, from games to productivity apps, but has since become cross-platform, and today offers a more robust suite of mobile solutions. These products include a mobile wallet, data traffic analytics, games, web TV integration, a mobile UI builder, etc.

With this acquisition Yandex starts offering a key component for various mobile platforms – a user interface configured to integrate the company’s key services based on SPB best known technology – SPB Shell 3D. This move boosts Yandex’s opportunities to partner with the players in the mobile ecosystem.

SPB Shell 3D, developed by SPB Software, will be enhanced to integrate Yandex’s cloud services and technologies. In addition, users will have easy access to the company’s services including its search capabilities featured on a wide variety of mobile devices.

Arkady Volozh, CEO at Yandex

“Mobile is a vital part of our growth strategy. The acquisition of SPB Software creates new market potential for us and a plethora of possibilities for innovative solutions for our partners”, said Yandex’s CEO Arkady Volozh. “SPB Shell 3D is an ideal foundation on which to build up our mobile opportunity.”

Last week Yandex announced that it would be teaming up with Microsoft, Nokia, HTC and Samsung to become the default search engine on both new and upcoming Windows Phones in Russia. This followed the news last month that Yandex is also set to become the search provider for bada-powered smartphones in Russia and the CIS. The company has steadily grown its share of the Russian search market to a point where it now owns 62.7 percent of the market in Q3 2011 — ahead of Google.

Yandex is particularly excited about SPB Software’s new mobile UI engine for both smartphones and tablets, especially SPB’s “Shell 3D” product, which will be used to integrate Yandex’s cloud services and technologies. This is an important play for Yandex because it allows the company to integrate their search and ad services into a UI which can then be distributed across a multitude of mobile platforms. What’s more, using SPB’s mobile UI builder and toolset, OEMS and brands can customize skins, layout, widgets and 3D animation.

Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO at PBS Software

“SPB Software is excited to join Yandex”, said Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO of SPB Software. “This allows us to unite efforts in developing and marketing new cutting-edge mobile solutions. SPB Software will continue its mission to produce innovative mobile products of the highest quality.”

Sources: SPB Software and Techcrunch