Google said today that it has bought Finnish startup Jaiku, maker of a mobile phone application where people can use to send short messages about where they are and what they're doing.

Terms of the acquisition weren't disclosed.

Google believes Jaiku's technology can help develop new ways to use mobile devices, according to a note posted Tuesday on Google's blog by Tony Hsieh, a product manager for the Mountain View-based company.

"We plan to use the ideas and technology behind Jaiku to make compelling and useful products," said Hsieh. "Although we don't have definite plans to announce at this time, we're excited about helping drive the next round of developments in web and mobile technology."

The small acquisition coincides with mounting speculation that Google is pushing to expand into mobile Internet services by going beyond its existing smattering of one-off services to create mobile operating system software that could run phones.

Founded last year in Helsinki, Jaiku specializes in mobile phone software that makes it easier to share updates about their whereabouts and thoughts.

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