Google is officially discontinuing all services related to file-sharing app Bump and photo-sharing app Flock by the end of January, only months after their acquisition.
In an announcement made on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, Bump CEO and co-founder David Lieb said that the NFC-like file sharing and photo sharing app, Bump and Flock will be removed from Google Play Store and App Store, January 31.
Google is known for acquiring startups with great potential and putting their expertise into its own products and services. It acquired startup Bump Technologies in September for something around $30 million and $60 million. Bump mobile application was the first to popularize the Near Field Communication (NFC)-like technology. Flock also offers similar functions, but only for photos. The app lets multiple users view and share photos as if they were uploaded to a gallery.
However, in the next few weeks, Bump and Flock users will be forced to find alternatives.
"We are now deeply focused on our new projects within Google, and we've decided to discontinue Bump and Flock," Lieb wrote in the company's blog. "On January 31, 2014, Bump and Flock will be removed from the App Store and Google Play. After this date, neither app will work, and all user data will be deleted."
If you have important data on the apps, do not panic. Bump and Flock apps let users transfer data. You can follow the instructions given by the app. For iOS users, the "i" menu will help get back all data and "more" option on Android devices will help users do the same.
Additionally, users will be receiving an email with a link to their registered email addresses that will let them export their data including photos, videos and contacts.
"We've been inspired and humbled by the millions of people who have used Bump and Flock. Your feedback, enthusiasm, and support has brought much meaning to our work," Lieb concluded his short good-bye note on the company's website.
Read more: Google Acquires File Sharing App Bump
