Google acquired a competing Brazilian search engine last week. Akwan Information Technologies, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, operated search site todobr.com and provides search services to users and companies in Brazil. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Google, Mountain View, CA, also said it is launching a new Latin America research and development center at Akwan's headquarters to help it develop products for the Latin American market.
“We see tremendous potential for Google across all of Latin America, both in terms of recruiting considerable local talent and in continuing to expand our products and services in the region,” said Alan Eustace, vice president of engineering at Google.
Users who type in Akwan's former address, www.todobr.com.br, are redirected to www.google.com.br.
