Google closes social dev Slide
Company dissolved a year after acquisition, founder Max Levchin leaves
Google is dissolving the social apps developer Slide, and its founder, Max Levchin, will leave the company.
According to a report on All Things Digital, Slide's apps will be phased out over the next few months, including SuperPoke Pets, Disco, Video Inbox, Pool Party, and the recently released Photovine.
"We created products with the goal of providing a fun way for people to connect, communicate and share," a statement on the Slide company blog reads.
"While we are incredibly grateful to our users and for all of the wonderful feedback over the years, many of these products are no longer as active or haven't caught on as we originally hoped."
Slide will now assist its users in migrating their data and content to other online services. A source said that a portion of Slide's 100 employees will be reassigned elsewhere in Google.
Slide was founded by Max Levchin - who co-founded PayPal - in 2004. It was acquired by Google last year for a reported $182 million.
The deal was a part of Google's broader strategy to gain a foothold the social networking space. However, the launch and early success of Google+ is believed to be a key motivator in Google's decision to shutter the company.
A Google spokesperson confirmed that Levchin has decided to leave the company to "pursue other opportunities."