Wallop — originally a Microsoft Research project in 2006 — was meant to be a social network to compete with the likes of MySpace or Facebook. Not quite an outlandish task considering the market in 2006, but it has since failed to take off. The company’s flagship social network site closed in September and it chose to continue to develop and support two Facebook applications.
Well now using its leftover cash, Wallop has purchased Santa Monica-based EtchStar and renamed itself Coveroo — peddling laser-engraved stickers and coverings for gadgets, cell phones, and household goods. EtchStar was started back in mid-2007 and has production facilities in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s product line included everything from metal and wood business cards to Moleskine notebooks with custom designs.
Sean Percival even took a visit to see their Santa Monica retail location for a video tour:
