AOL snaps up Rally Up, touts 'mobile-first' strategy

AOL acquired mobile applications developer Rally Up, a move the web services provider said heralds a new "mobile-first" strategy built on mobile versions of its existing desktop and online offerings as well all-new products that roll out first on wireless devices. Financial terms of the Rally Up deal were not disclosed--the startup's staff will join AOL's Consumer Applications and Mobile division and work under AOL vice president of mobile David Temkin. The Rally Up application combines private microblogging with location, enabling users to share text and photos--FacePlant, presently under review in Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) App Store, will offer information on which contacts are able to chat via the iPhone 4's new FaceTime video application.

Temkin, who previously served as VP of developer platforms at Palm, joined AOL in June--in late July, AOL launched a new smartphone portal as well as a pair of free apps exclusively optimized for Google's Android operating system. In a release, Temkin said AOL will continue developing applications for other mobile operating systems, but identified Android because it "has emerged as a top-tier smartphone platform."

For more on the AOL/Rally Up deal:
- read this release

Related articles:
New AOL mobile apps forgo iPhone in favor of Android
AOL says bye-bye to Bebo