GLOBAL, JUNE 14, 2013 – Google has purchased Israeli mapping firm Waze for an undisclosed sum in order to “help (users) outsmart traffic”. Waze is a rapidly-growing community of drivers that constantly seeks out the best routes from home to work and vice versa on a daily basis.
In a post on the official Google blog, the company said it was excited about the prospect of enhancing Google Maps with some of Waze’s traffic update features, as well as how it could enhance Waze with Google’s own search capabilities.
Google added that Waze’s product development team would remain in Israel and operate separately “for now”, and that it would also work closely with the members of the vibrant Waze community to ensure that they continue to grow and prosper.
Google did not mention how much it had paid to acquire Waze.
