When I learned this morning, via Twitter, that the small company behind Mac/iOS e-mail app Sparrow was being bought by Google, I almost didn't need to read the startup's announcement to know the upshot.
Google and Facebook buy itty-bitty web companies all the time. And the acquired businesses typically convey what's happening in an eerily consistent five-step ritual:
- Announcement of thrilling acquisition…
Or Slide *sigh* It’s sad to see all the little companies go, but I know that’s business…