Internet search top dog Google has bought @Last, a company that makes tools to add three-dimensional figures into computer-aided designs.
Financial details were not disclosed. The deal was a announced on March 14.
This and other recent Google acquisitions are part of a broader strategy to fatten up Googles array of features to fare better against chief rival Microsoft, which offers competing online services for consumers and businesses.
For example, last week Google purchased the makers of Writely, a Web-based word processing feature. The move added a missing piece—word processing—to Googles lineup of Internet-based features for enterprises.
/zimages/3/28571.gifRead morehereabout how Googles beefing up its enterprise product lineup.
It seems certain that @Last will fall in line with Google Earth, Googles online searchable satellite imagery feature. Sketchup already makes free software that plugs into Google Earth, but the six-year-old company also is known for its premium product, now used by hundreds of architects, builders and woodworkers.
/zimages/3/28571.gifRead morehereabout Google Earth.
The price tag is now around $500, but that may change. Googles been known to buy a company and either significantly cut product prices or begin offering the goods for free.
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