Google Spent $291 Million on Acquisitions First Quarter

Google spent $291 million on acquisitions and assets during the first quarter as the company looked to bolster revenue and user growth.

Among the eight deals last quarter, $150 million was for patents and developed technology. In February, the company announced it agreed to buy Channel Intelligence Inc. for $125 million, adding online- marketing tools used by retailers to bolster Internet sales. Google is stepping up purchases of companies and technology to expand beyond its core search-based advertising business. Last year, the company completed its largest acquisition, buying Motorola Mobility Holdings for $12.5 billion, adding patents and a smartphone and tablet business.