
There's no getting around it: Aol has bought out well-known internet tech news site TechCrunch for an undisclosed amount of money. The acquisition encompasses all of TechCrunch's websites including GreenTech, TechCrunchIT, CrunchBase, CrunchGear and yes, the Crunch Empire mother ship itself, TechCrunch. That's a whole lotta website. The buyout was announced at the TechCrunch Disrupt event by TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington and Aol CEO Tim Armstrong. Armstrong told those in attendance that Aol planned to allow TechCrunch's merry band of journalists and editors to maintain editorial independence despite the plans to integrate TechCrunch websites into the Aol Technology Network.