The OEM acquired Kite.ly to open “new photo-printing possibilities” on mobile platforms.
Digital Trends reported on the acquisition, which appears to form part of Canon “working to create a printing solution for its users that is app-based”, with the site adding that it “could be turning out more mobile printing solutions soon”, as Kite.ly is a “mobile ecommerce platform designed for in-app printing”.
The OEM added that the acquisition will allow it to “expand [its] digital services”, offering a “print ecosystem unrivalled in scope”, and Digital Trends also noted that Kite.ly “isn’t a stand-alone program but rather allows developers to embed printing programming into their own apps”. Developers can use Kite.ly’s SDK and API code to “add a printing solution to their apps, allowing customers to purchase custom print products in-app without actually setting up their own printing and shipping centre”.
Additionally, a developer “provides the graphics [and] Kite.ly creates and ships the products as well as the programming framework to fulfil the orders”. The company’s clients include website builders Shopify and Woocommerce, alongside apps including Polaroid Print Store, Lenovo, Piccollage, Lifecake and Photobox.
Kite.ly will “continue to operate independently, but with support” from Canon, while developers “will continue to be able to add a ready-made print solution into their app”. The acquisition follows Canon’s previous acquisitions of Lifecake and Irista, which the OEM say “now works to create a complete imaging ecosystem moving from taking the photo to sharing and printing”.
Alberto Spinelli, Senior Director of Digital Services at Canon Europe, commented: “Bringing Kite.ly into the Canon group of companies is our latest move to expand Canon’s digital services offering, by making mobile printing ubiquitous. There is a fast-growing trend of consumers who want to shop for customized products and do it in an easy way from their mobile devices.
“The combination of Canon’s high-quality printing technologies and Kite.ly’s easy-to-use solutions will create an unrivalled portfolio of print products, accessible to customers everywhere through existing and new imaging apps.”
Charlie Carpenter, founder and CEO of Kite.ly, added: “We are inspired that Canon shares our vision to become the internet’s print button, embedded into any imaging app or website. Kite.ly hosts hundreds of app clients around the world and together with Canon we will be able to enhance their service, to help them generate new revenue and engage with their users in a much more meaningful way.”