Twitter acquires ‘Cover’, makers of context aware lock screen for Android

Cover, makers of a popular context aware lock screen app for Android, today announced that it is joining Twitter. The team didn’t disclose any financial details related to the deal, but said that it would be joining the Twitter team and continuing to offer its lock screen app on Google Play.

“Twitter, like Cover, believes in the incredible potential of Android. They share our vision that smartphones can be a lot smarter — more useful and more contextual — and together we’re going to make that happen,” the founders of Cover said when makig the announcement in a blog post today. They also added that Cover will be creating “something even better at Twitter” and would provide an update if things change regarding availability of the Cover app for Android. 

Twitter, like Cover, believes in the incredible potential of Android. They share our vision that smartphones can be a lot smarter — more useful and more contextual — and together we’re going to make that happen. We’ll be building upon a lot of what makes Cover great, and we’re thrilled to create something even better at Twitter.

Thanks to all of you who beta tested our app, provided feedback, and helped us build Cover into what it is today. We’re excited for this next chapter and can’t wait for you all to try out what’s next.

While the company isn’t going into specifics about what Twitter has planned for the app, it is interesting to note Facebook has shown similar interest in controlling the Android lock screen experience– the first one users see when turning on their device– with its Facebook Home experience. The Cover app for Android, which is a replacement for the default lock screen, provides context-aware app launching by learning what apps you use in certain situations. For example, the app can automatically provide quick access to apps that you use most when in the car or app work and also automatically adjust ringer volumes and wallpapers for different situations.

Cover has raised around $1.7 million in a first round of funding and in today’s announcement said it has
“reached hundreds of thousands of people” since launching just over a year ago.

The app is currently still available as a free download for Android devices on Google Play.