Google buys Instagram rival Nik Software

While not as famous as Instagram,available for free on Apple8217;s mobile devices,Snapseed has won a following for its editing prowess among photographers,despite a 4.99 price tag.

Nik Software says Snapseed has more than 9 million users while Instagram says it has more than 100 million.

8220;We want to help our users create photos they absolutely love,and in our experience Nik does this better than anyone,8221; Vic Gundotra,Google8217;s senior vice president,engineering,said on a Google post.

Facebook this year bought Instagram,which made an app for users to add filters and effects to pictures taken on their smartphones,for a cool 1 billion.

8220;Google8217;s playing chase up in social,8221; BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis said. 8220;It8217;s yet another tuck in they have done,trying to boost their Google offering.8221;

Snapseed won Apple Inc8217;s 8220;iPad App Of The Year8221; award in 2011 for its multitouch photo editing interface.

8220;We8217;ve always aspired to share our passion for photography with everyone,and with Google8217;s support we hope to be able to help many millions more people create awesome pictures,8221; Nik Software said on its Website.

Google8217;s Gundotra also said that Google had hit over 400 million users this week and had just crossed 100 million monthly active users.