Microsoft acquires imaging startup Swing Technologies

Microsoft has acquired maker of the acclaimed ‘living photo’ app Swng, Swing Technologies. Swing will bring its expertise in imaging technology and customer experiences to deliver on key innovations for Skype messaging and calling experiences.

“This is a unique opportunity for the team to bring our ideas to a global audience,” said Tommy Stadlen, Co-Founder of Swing Technologies. “It’s an exciting time to join Microsoft, which is thriving under the leadership of Satya Nadella. We believe in the power of brands and technology, so the Skype mission and values resonate strongly with us.”

Swing Technologies' cinemagraph app called Swng lets you take impressionistic, GIF-like short videos that you can then ‘move’ by dragging your finger or a mouse across them. The startup’s team will be joining Microsoft’s Skype division, the companies said.

“The Swing team’s deep expertise in imaging technology will help us deliver great new features and capabilities for Skype,” said Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Skype, Amritansh Raghav. “They have an impressive track record of delivering great user experiences and brand design around the technology they develop."

Swing Technologies was founded by Tommy Stadlen and Frederick Blackford in 2014. The startup has developed a range of imaging technology across software and hardware with backing from top tier investors and individuals including Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone.