Image via CrunchBaseGigaOM reports that RIM is in talks to acquire Gist, a US start-up which has developed an app which creates profiles for entries in a user’s contact book by pulling information from social networks including Facebook and Twitter, blogs, news articles, and email messages across multiple inboxes.
According to the report, while the deal is “nearly done,” there is still the possibility it may not come to fruition. The motivation to acquire the business would be to enhance the BlackBerry address book by making it “more network and more social.” The app also has potential for business users, stating that it can be used “to help prepare for a meeting, make an introduction, or just find a better way to connect with others.”
Gist is available for Android and iOS platforms, as well as integrating with Microsoft Outlook, the Firefox and Chrome browsers, Lotus Notes and Salesforce.com. Earlier this year, Gist said that it had “surpassed the mark of 100 million dynamic, social business profiles.” The company was set-up in 2008, and is funded by Foundry Group and Vulcan Capital, the venture investment arm of Microsoft’s co-founder Paul Allen.
RIM has made a number of acquisitions intended to bolster its mobile proposition recently, although it is generally making small purchases rather than headline-grabbing buys. It bought assets from UI technology firm The Amazing Tribe and office app developer DataViz, and acquired mobile content delivery player Cellmania. and TAT a mobile SW designerhttp://worldwidegadget.blogspot.com/2010/12/rim-making-next-move-buying-tat-swedish.html
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