Bump (application)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mobile applications, Software |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | David Lieb, Andy Huibers, Jake Mintz |
| Defunct | January 31, 2014 |
| Fate | Acquired by Google; service terminated |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, California , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Bump app, Bump Pay, Flock |
| Parent | Google (from 2013) |
Bump was a mobile app available on both iOS and Android platforms, developed by Bump Technologies to facilitate the exchange of contact details, images, and files between devices. In 2011, it secured the #8 spot on Apple's all-time list of the most popular free iPhone applications. By February 2013, the app had been downloaded 125 million times. The service was terminated on January 31, 2014, subsequent to Google's acquisition of Bump Technologies, with the intention of incorporating its technology into Google Photos and the Android Camera app.
Features
Bump enabled users to share contacts, photos, and files via internet connectivity. Transfers were initiated by physically tapping two phones together, which activated an algorithm on Bump’s servers that analyzed sensor information—such as location data, accelerometer inputs, and IP addresses—to verify the bump event and allow a secure exchange of data. Unlike many other applications, Bump did not rely on Near Field Communication technology.
The release of Bump 3.0 for iOS in February 2012 simplified the app’s interface by concentrating primarily on sharing contacts and photos. Meanwhile, the Android version maintained additional functionalities but organized them within swipeable menus.
In May 2012, Bump launched a web-based service that permitted users to transfer photos from their smartphones to desktop computers by bumping their phone against the space bar on the computer keyboard. By December 2012, updates expanded capabilities to include sharing video, audio, and various file types through swipe navigation. Integration with Dropbox further enhanced its file-sharing options.
An update in February 2013 introduced two-way transfers between computers and smartphones via the Bump website, using the same bump gesture on the keyboard’s space bar to exchange photos, videos, contacts, and other files.
History
The idea of using a simultaneous gesture like bumping two gadgets together to transfer content was originally proposed by Ken Hinkley from Microsoft Research in 2003. His research suggested employing accelerometers combined with a bump action to enable device communication and content sharing. Drawing inspiration from this concept, David Lieb—formerly with Texas Instruments and then pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business—developed the notion for the Bump app to simplify contact sharing on the iPhone. He collaborated with fellow ex-Texas Instruments colleagues Andy Huibers and Jake Mintz, who were also attending Chicago’s MBA program, leading to the establishment of Bump Technologies.
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Mountain View, California, Bump Technologies received initial funding from startup accelerator Y Combinator, venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, and angel investors. The app garnered significant attention at the CTIA wireless conference due to its novel approach. In October 2009, Bump secured $3.4 million in Series A financing, followed by a $16 million Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz in January 2011. Notably, Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen joined Bump’s board during this period.
The application debuted on Apple’s iOS App Store in March 2009 and was hailed as a quintessential iPhone app. It achieved recognition as Apple’s billionth App Store download. An Android version was released later that year in November 2009. By February 2012, Bump 3.0 for iOS had been installed 77 million times with daily photo shares exceeding two million. Total downloads reached 125 million by February 2013.
Other applications developed by Bump Technologies
In March 2010, Bump Technologies collaborated with PayPal to create an iPhone application that allowed users to send money by physically bumping their phones together. This app quickly gained popularity, and an Android version was launched in August 2010. The bumping capability was removed from PayPal's apps in March 2012, coinciding with Bump Technologies’ release of Bump Pay, an iOS application designed to facilitate PayPal transactions through the bump gesture. Initially intended to assist with bill splitting, Bump Pay streamlined peer-to-peer payments and represented the first offering from Bump Labs, a division dedicated to experimenting with new app ideas separate from the primary Bump app.
In 2011, ING Direct incorporated Bump’s technology into its iPhone application to enable direct money transfers between users, later expanding this functionality to its Android app, which is now known as Capital One 360.
July 2012 saw the launch of Flock by Bump Technologies, an iPhone photo-sharing app that utilized geolocation and Facebook connections to compile event photos into collective albums. An Android version became available in December 2012. Flock alerted users after events to encourage sharing photos with friends who attended and could organize previous photos based on location data, thereby enhancing shared photo experiences within social circles.
Acquisition by Google
Bump Technologies announced its acquisition by Google on September 16, 2013. By December 31, 2013, both Bump and Flock were discontinued as the team shifted focus toward new initiatives at Google. The applications were removed from the App Store and Google Play on January 31, 2014. Following this, all user information was erased and servers were decommissioned, making the apps nonfunctional.