Google Acquires Design Prototyping Tool Maker Pixate
 

Google has acquired Pixate, a Palo Alto-based startup that develops mobile apps prototyping tool. As part of the deal, employees of Pixate will join Google's design team. Pixate's flagship tool allows app developers to create visual prototypes for Android and iOS, among other platforms. It also has a desktop client, which works seamlessly with cloud services. Among its clients include thousands of employees of top companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook.

The company is also making a basic version of its service available for free. The version of the app that lets teams collaborate, however, will continue to be paid at $5 per user every month, or $50 per user for an entire year.