Skype has announced its intensions to acquire the GroupMe company, a new app startup, founded in 2010 at the Techcrunch Disrupt Hackathon.  GroupMe has created and provides a group messaging service that helps users stay in touch with each other and will enable Skype to enhanced further its mobile offerings. Combining the new text based service with their acquisition of mobile video provider Qik, which Skype announced earlier this year.

The GroupMe company offers a free texting service that  works across mobile devices and platforms, enabling users to connect, share locations, photos and make easily communicate with their contacts and friends.

Early this month GroupMe rolled out a new version to its application GroupMe 3.0 allowing users to manage groups, send messages, share photos, and ask questions from a website, without the need to download the application.

Skype’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Bates explains:

"Skype and GroupMe have a shared vision of creating applications and experiences that are the daily communications choice for a billion people. We will continue to seek the top talent and technology to make that vision a reality,”

At this time Skype has not disclose how much it will be paying for GroupMe, but the figure is thought to be between $70- $85 million.

Source: Skype