Google Buys Waze, One of Few Truly Useful Apps
Google has announced that it bought Waze, a popular navigation app with crowd-sourced traffic-monitoring powered by its users (see “Social Surveillance Yields Smarter Directions”). It’s a smart move that keeps the startup out of Apple’s clutches and gives Google a chance to grow (and benefit from) one of the few truly useful, important mobile apps to emerge over the past five years.

No purchase price was disclosed, but I’m sure Google paid a nice price for Waze, which has built up a strong community of nearly 50 million people that use its iPhone and Android apps. Waze users report traffic issues and gas prices, and update the service’s maps to give all users a better driving experience. Waze is so good that Apple CEO Tim Cook even name-checked the app in the wake of the disastrous release of Apple Maps last year (see “Rivals Soar After Apple Apology”). As might be expected, Waze had many suitors (Waze CEO Bardin says the company “evaluated many options” before settling on Google).
Naturally, Google plans to make use of Waze’s approach to keeping tabs on traffic conditions to improve the traffic data in Google Maps, and says Google’s search will be added to Waze’z app. The Waze app is to remain remain independent “for now,” says Google, and the company’s product development team will remain in Tel Aviv, Israel, rather than moving to Google HQ in California. In a post on Waze’s blog, CEO Noam Bardin says “nothing practical” will change at Waze, and the company’s employees, management, and founders “are all committed to our vision for many years to come.”
Keep Reading
Most Popular

These materials were meant to revolutionize the solar industry. Why hasn’t it happened?
Perovskites are promising, but real-world conditions have held them back.

Why China is still obsessed with disinfecting everything
Most public health bodies dealing with covid have long since moved on from the idea of surface transmission. China’s didn’t—and that helps it control the narrative about the disease’s origins and danger.

Anti-aging drugs are being tested as a way to treat covid
Drugs that rejuvenate our immune systems and make us biologically younger could help protect us from the disease’s worst effects.

A quick guide to the most important AI law you’ve never heard of
The European Union is planning new legislation aimed at curbing the worst harms associated with artificial intelligence.
Stay connected

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.