Google integrates Waze traffic reports into Maps

Google Blog: Users of Google Maps for mobile will now benefit from real-time incident reports from Waze users.

Just two months have passed since Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) acquired Waze for $1 billion, and the first step resulting from the merger has been taken: Google will integrate Waze's traffic reports in Google Maps and navigation apps for Android devices and iPhones. Google Blog reports that users of Google Maps for mobile will now benefit from real time incident reports from Waze users.

Google's objective is to improve traffic congestion reports on its app, but it is actually beginning to affect Waze's app, because users who do not like making reports will have one less reason for staying with Waze.

The big surprise in the Google's traffic updates is the large number of countries covered, in addition to Israel. They include Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, UK and the US.

For Waze users who work with its maps editor, the company also adds Street View images, which will make it easier to correct mistakes.

"The entire Waze family has been hard at work since joining Google," said Waze CEO Noam Bardin on the company's blog. "One of our top priorities is identifying familiar and helpful Google services that can significantly improve the experiences of both users and editors."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 21, 2013

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