Snaptu raises $6M to make Java phones more iPhone-like

Snaptu, a company promising to bring a high-end application experience to low-end phones, said today that it has raised $8 million in a second round of funding.

Backed by high-profile venture firm Sequoia Capital, Snaptu offers a free application that is supposed to work on any phone that runs Java (that’s more than 2,000 devices total, the company says). That app, in turn, includes a catalog of other apps, such as a Facebook app, a Twitter app, a news reader app, and more. The idea is that everyone can get the application experience that the iPhone has popularized.

In addition to announcing the funding, Tel Aviv, Israel-headquartered Snaptu said it has passed the 10 million user mark.

The new round was led by Carmel Ventures. Sequoia, which previously contributed an undisclosed amount of funding, also participated.

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