Microsoft Acquires Groove Music App for iOS From Zikera

Microsoft has acquired the Groove music app for iOS from Canadian startup Zikera. The Groove app creators confirmed the acquisition stating that, "We are thrilled to announce that Groove has been acquired by Microsoft!"

Zikera in its Medium post on Wednesday added that the Groove app is no longer available to download but those who have already downloaded the app could continue to use it. The app will also not receive any updates as well.

On behalf of the founders and the entire team, we have a special message to the millions of music lovers that have supported us:

THANK YOU.

Our journey started back in the days of the iPod. While it was a thing of beauty, we still struggled to choose what to play from our beloved music collection. From that instant, we envisioned a music player so intelligent that learns our tastes and habits in order to play the right music at the right time. Then Groove was born, and you made it a success. We are incredibly proud to have delighted you with a rich mobile experience and countless hours of music bliss through the tens of millions of personalized playlists we generated.

The startup in an email to WinBeta added, "At the end, joining Microsoft wasn't part of the deal. They acquired the technology and brand (including the Groove app's domain)."

Microsoft spokesperson in an emailed statement to Venture Beat also confirmed the acquisition, but did not elaborate, "Microsoft acquired Zikera's Groove music app. We have nothing more to share." Neither of the two companies shared financial details of the acquisition deal or when was it made.

Groove, the iOS music player, specialised in intelligent music discovery. Although Microsoft is yet to confirm how it will be using the technology, it is likely that the tech would will be used in the Redmond-based company's own Groove Music service, formerly known as Xbox Music service.

Microsoft is not new to iOS app acquisitions. The company nearly a year ago acquired the Sunrise calendar app and in October added the app's features in to its Microsoft Outlook app.

The Groove acquisition news by Microsoft comes a week after the Redmond-based tech giant acquired SwiftKey, a popular keyboard application. As part of the agreement, SwiftKey employees will join the Microsoft team.