Facebook Buys E-Book Developer

Facebook acquired Push Pop Press, a digital publishing platform for e-books, in an effort to expand and update itself in a competitive social media climate.

Push Pop Press announced the deal on its Web site. The San Francisco-based startup company is best known for developing Al Gore's book about global warming, "Our Choice," into an e-book for iPad -- for which it won an Apple Design Award this year.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

"We're taking our publishing technology and everything we've learned and are setting off to help design the world's largest book, Facebook," said Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris, the co-founders of Push Pop Press, in a joint statement.

Facebook has widely been reported to have plans to launch an iPad app in the near future, which will most likely enhance its design- and touch-technology capabilities through this acquisition.

"Although Facebook isn't planning to start publishing digital books, the ideas and technology behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook, giving people even richer ways to share their stories," said Push Pop Press co-founders.

Matas and Tsinteris, who both previously worked at Apple, cofounded Push Pop Press aimed at "redefining the way we publish and experience books."

Facebook has been acquiring smaller startups to help expand its brand, particularly for valuable talent assets. Over the past several years, it has purchased several little-known companies, including Parakey, Hot Potato Drop.io and Octazen, according to The New York Times.

Since Google+ rolled out as a new competing social media force in late June, Facebook is looking to expand both its talent and technology and is doing so by acquiring startups like Push Pop Press.