So a couple months ago, Xmarks announced that it was going under. Formerly Foxmarks, the bookmark syncing service had deployed across multiple browsers (including the three I use at various times — Firefox, Chrome, and IE), and was one of those huge Quality of Life boosters you never appreciate until it goes away.
The announcement was basically that they had never found a way to monetize the system the way they hoped (it wasn’t just a bookmark sync, but a page/search recommendation service, but nobody ever used that part), so they would be out of money at the end of the year. Even though they had a billion bookmarks from 4.5 million users, they couldn’t figure out how to make any money.
There was a big hue and cry from the user base, basically saying, “Idjits, if you’d actually asked us, we would be willing to pay at least something for the service.” Their response was, “Well, with all the browsers coming out with their own native sync capability, we just didn’t think anyone was interested.” In reply, they heard, “First off, those sync capabilities, in some cases, suck. Secondly, they only work within that browser. I want the same bookmarks on my Firefox machine at work as on my Chrome machine at home — and if I open up IE for some godforsaken reason, I want to see them there, too.”
Even a pledge site got set up, where people promised (for what it’s worth) how much they’d pay a year to keep that service. That total started getting some attention, and we were left, after a few weeks, with a cryptic note from the Xmarks folks that they were negotiating with some potential buyers.
And today …
… we get these announcements.
Today we’re excited to announce that Xmarks has been acquired by LastPass, makers of a leading cross-platform password manager.
In our efforts to bring you expanded, go-anywhere access to your data, we’re excited to announce that LastPass has acquired Xmarks! It’s a great opportunity that not only ensures the survival of the Xmarks add-on, but will also enhance our mission to provide the best data-syncing tools out there.
I’ve been using LastPass — a secure password sync tool — since mid-2009, when my computing platforms broke up between work laptop and personal laptop. With it, I am able to access passwords and form information, synchronized, between both of those machines, plus Margie’s desktop, my netbook, etc., and even on my Android phone. Wildly convenient, and, ultimately much more secure (because I don’t use the same limited password set for all sites but can rely on auto-generated gibberish).
At the time of the Xmarks announcement, I thought LastPass would be a great possible buyer, and I mentioned it at both companies’ forums. I’m glad to see they took my suggestion (ahem).
With the acquisition, Xmarks will be going to a the growing more typical Freemium model.
The browser add-on and the vast majority of what users have enjoyed remains free. Users can then opt to purchase Xmarks Premium for $12 per year, which includes new enhanced features like Android and iPhone mobile phone apps, priority support, and more. The Xmarks and LastPass Premium offerings are also available bundled together at a reduced subscription rate of $20 per year.
There is a subtle nudge that people should now put their money where their mouth was:
For those of you who pledged your financial support, you can make good on your pledge today and upgrade.
But that’s quite all right. It will be a pleasure.
Sometimes things do work out.