Smart Quietly Buys Chikka.com - Merger Disclosed on Twitter by Chikka Founder !

... and Yuga grabbed Mr. Mendiola's Tweet first:


Mr. Dennis Mendiola is Chikka.com's Founder and Chief Imagination Officer,
Credit: Yugatech and Mr. Mendiola's Twitter Account

That's right. Smart Communications, the largest mobile communications network in the Philippines, has officially chugged Chikka.com for an undisclosed sum.

What's Chikka?! Wikipedia, please :

Chikka.com a wireless application service provider, better known for creating the world’s first instant messenger to fully integrate mobile features via SMS, the “Chikka Messenger.” The Chikka Messenger has 38 million registered users, including mobile subscribers from network operators worldwide. It is interoperable with Google Talk.

Pronounced as it is spelled, Chikka \’CHI-ka\ or chika is a Filipino colloquial term for ‘small talk.’ As a verb, it translates to mingling easily, or doing anything with ease; or in a clever manner. According to the company, ‘small talk’ in fact refers to the nature of many text and chat messages exchanged throughout online and mobile communities worldwide.

Headquartered in Manila, Philippines, Chikka Asia powers services for mobile instant messaging and email accessible via SMS, mobile payment systems utilizing call credits, Free-Reply SMS for prepaid mobile subscribers in need of “top-up,” mobile-enabled auctions and matchmaking, as well as text, voice and visual mobile content.

Interesting purchase, Smart. :)

Enter your email address to subscribe to free daily TechPinas newsletter: