Waze to for Google 1.3 Billion

Jun 10, 2013 | Google, Rambling

I love Waze.

There are very few apps I like – waze being one of those few. You can navigate around your favorite city and if you have enough users you start getting “live” routing. If traffic slows down you know it – if it stops, and the app can find a way, it will point you in a different direction.

  • The rumors started last year – Apple was looking to purchase waze.
  • Then the Facebook rumor – they were making a play for it. You can “like” your own route home and have friends make comments: “Prayers for you and your trip home!”.
  • Then Google became interested. I’ve used Google Maps for routing with my phone and I’ve gotten lost or felt like it’s taken me the wrong way more than I care to admit.

Google won with 1.3 billion in small unmarked bills.

Overall – Good for Waze. For me – Boo. I don’t want Waze to get bought then demolished like so many other Googleacquisitions. It will most likely happen. The Forbes article hints at 2016 for a possible end of life.

Here’s hoping there’s an open source replacement some day.

 

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