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Google Acquires Dodgeball

kalki writes "Dodgeball.com, a service that uses mobile phones to help people meet up with friends who are in the same location, said on its website on Wednesday that it has been bought by Web search leader Google Inc. Also available on the official site is a Q&A about the deal." From the article: "As a two-person team, Alex and I have taken dodgeball about a far as we can alone. Since we finished grad school, we've been trying to figure out how to grow dodgeball and make it a better service along the way. We talked to a lot of different angel investors and venture capitalists, but no one really 'got' what we were doing - that is until we met Google."

17 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Dodgeball? by Koiu+Lpoi · · Score: 5, Funny

    "It's time for you to put your mouth where our balls are!"

    1. Re:Dodgeball? by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 2, Funny

      If I could do that, I wouldn't be wasting my time on /.

    2. Re: Dodgeball? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      "If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!"

  2. Finally figured out... by daveschroeder · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...what the "???" is in

    1.
    2. ???
    3. Profit!


    It's "Get purchased by Google!"

  3. Re:people search by 0x461FAB0BD7D2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Searching in a crowd? This is going to ruin "Where's Wally" for generations to come.

    Do no evil my ass.

  4. Recess by elmarkitse · · Score: 3, Funny

    Guess Google got tired of getting beaned all the time at recess so they just bought the whole darned game. EK

  5. Re:I know it's unreasonable at the time being... by JFMulder · · Score: 4, Funny

    Or, "Where is my ex so I can stalk her?"

  6. Re:people search by Peldor · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've read your message a dozen times and still can't find Waldo.

  7. Re:centralized social networks will never work by Monoman · · Score: 1, Funny

    Quick somebody make a Trillian for social networks! Google may come knocking.

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    Keep the Classic Slashdot.
  8. Wont they need by WormholeFiend · · Score: 2, Funny

    an opposing team?

    As a two-person team, Alex and I have taken dodgeball about a far as we can alone.

  9. Re:Can Dodgeball help me? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I have no friends. :( Can Dodgeball help me find some?

    No. Dodgeball will turn you from sissy cry boy into a real man who whipcracks people with wet towels in the gym.

  10. Re:So... by cuzality · · Score: 3, Funny


    ...how rich will these guys be now?

    Maybe we'll find out when they're interviewed on ESPN "The Ocho". My guess is they'll have to carry all that money home in a pirate's chest.

  11. Google acquires Dodgeball by LightningBolt! · · Score: 5, Funny

    May 12, 2005

    Google, the company known primarily for its internet search engine, has announced today that it has acquired a dodgeball. Eric Schmidt, the CEO of the pioneering internet company, made the purchase at a silicon valley sporting goods superstore, Sports Authority, for the sum of $12.95.

    "This acquisition will become a cornerstone of our future growth plans," said Schmidt. "In the coming weeks, this dodgeball will be hurled at tremendous speed within the executive offices. It is likely to knock phones, pen holders, and even some of those magnetic paper-clip boxes off of the desks of many employees. This should stir things up, and get our best people thinking either outside of the box, or about looking for another job. The combined one-two punch of increased thinking and lower payroll costs will propel Google forwards into the next century."

    Sally Jones, an employee at Sports Authority, said that the transaction went smoothly. "Initially, when we met with Schmidt, we were concerned the acquisition would be a hostile takeover. However, he assured us that his plans for the dodgeball were based on growth and solid corporate fundamentals. The fact that his credit card was not declined was also assuring." Sally says that she recommended the purchase of an air pump to help inflate it, but that Schmidt declined, stating that the company's "[value] is already inflated."

    The acquisition comes on the heels of rumours that Microsoft has plans to acquire a badminton set. A Microsoft spokesman was not available for comment.

    --
    Old people fall. Young people spring. Rich people summer and winter.
  12. Re:What's next? The Google Backlash, is what by tobybuk · · Score: 2, Funny

    Shutup, I'm eating this food and it tastes really good. How can something that tastes this good be bad for you?

  13. Re:Funny, Yes, but not funny for Google. by Cyn · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yes, they agree - that's why they've made lookups fast and convenient by denormalizing their database!

    INSERT INTO dodgeball_friendlist (userid, friend1, friend2, friend3) VALUES (1,'joey','lisa','antonio');

    lookups are FAST!

    --
    cyn, free software and *nix operating systems enthusiast.
  14. Microsoft responds by PaxTech · · Score: 4, Funny

    Not to be outdone, Microsoft today announced they have purchased a controlling interest in Duck Duck Goose.

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    All movements for social change begin as missions, evolve into businesses, and end up as rackets.
  15. Re:people search by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Hey! What's my wife doing over at my single neighbor's house?!!