Google acquires sat-nav app Waze

11 Jun 2013

Internet search giant Google has confirmed its acquisition of sat-nav smartphone app Waze. Terms of the purchase have not been disclosed.

Under the deal, Google expects to enhance Google Maps with some of the traffic update features provided by Waze and enhance Waze with Google’s search capabilities.

“To help you outsmart traffic, today we’re excited to announce we’ve closed the acquisition of Waze. This fast-growing community of traffic-obsessed drivers is working together to find the best routes from home to work, every day,” Brian McClendon, vice-president, Geo, wrote on the Official Google Blog.

The Waze product development team will remain in Israel and operate separately for the time being, McClendon wrote.

Waze CEO Noam Bardin wrote on Waze’s blog that Google shares Waze’s vision of a global mapping service, updated in real-time by local communities.

“We are excited about the prospect of working with the Google Maps team to enhance our search capabilities and to join them in their ongoing efforts to build the best map of the world,” Bardin wrote.

“Together, we can accelerate our mission to outsmart traffic. We will continue to make a real impact on drivers globally, helping them save time and money while making everyone’s daily commute a bit more efficient and fun.”

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

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