Israeli Internet company Conduit is closing down its U division, which developed an Internet browser based on the code behind Google's Chrome browser, sources inform "Globes." Conduit is shutting down the division two years after deciding to enter the field of browsers as part of its desire back them to exit the field of toolbars, on which it had built its business. Some of the division's employees will be transferred to other Conduit departments while about 10 have chosen to leave.
The U browser greatly resembled Chrome with the main difference being a side window that interfaced with social networks and presented updates from Facebook and Twitter, and the ability to talk with other users. The company has removed the browser from the Internet and on its site it says "after we invested in recent years in developing a new and better experience for Internet surfers, the U team will focus on new challenges. As of December 1, the Us browser is no longer operative. We learned a lot thanks to our loyal users and we will use this understanding to create other amazing products."
A source at Conduit refrained from relating to the volume of U browser downloads or its success among Internet users as an alternative to Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer. The source explained that the company preferred to focus on work for other core operations, primarily the Como division that allows a mobile app to be created relatively simply and swiftly. Although it is firing employees in the Us division, the company is hiring for the Como division. Sources inform "Globes" that the future of another division at Conduit - First - which focuses on developing smartphone lock screens for brands and advertisers - is unclear.
Last October, Conduit decided to close its Wibiya division, which focuses on website based toolbars. The decision emerged from the $45 million acquisition of Wibiya in 2011. Following these changes, Wibiya's three founders left Conduit in March to set up a start-up dealing with weight-loss.
Conduit is one of Israel's largest Internet companies. In September 2013 the company spun off its toolbar operation, its main source of revenue, which it sold to Perion Networks Inc. (Nasdaq:PERI: TASE:PERI). The sale was completed in January. Conduit now mainly concentrates on mobile through the Como division. In September, the manager of the Como division Harel Tayeb left and was replaced by Dror Erez, who founded Conduit with Ronen Shilo and Gaby Bilczyk.
Conduit director of global communications Daniel Morgan said, "We closed U on December 1st in order to focus 100% on our rapidly-growing Como brand and business, which has emerged as one of the world’s leading mobile app-creation platforms. Members of the U team had the option to join Como and several did, while others decided to pursue new opportunities. Como recently hired 8 new engineers and we are actively hiring to grow the Como team."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 3, 2014
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