I used Google Maps for Android almost exclusively until about 3 months ago, when I rejoined Waze. Although I had signed up for Waze several years back when it debuted, I was not initially impressed. Now it looks as though Google may buy Waze for a cool 1.3 Billion dollars.
To put this potential purchase into perspective, Google is planning to pay roughly twice what the last Powerball jackpot was, to purchase Waze. I do not know the thoughts of those who are considering this purchase, but I do know that Waze at least has good user interaction and interface is simplistic.
Although Google Maps has many features like Traffic, Images, StreetView, Latitude, Directions, and Navigation, it does not have as much of the social functions that Waze has. Sure you can write reviews and post pictures, you can even alter the map if it is incorrect, but for now reporting live road incidents is not available. Waze offers live data from actual users, not merely instrument triggers based on GPS and gyroscope movements.
On the flip-side there may be ulterior motives for a move to purchase Waze, as rumors say that Apple or Facebook may be considering the company. Apple could definitely use a boost to its mapping software and Facebook could integrated the app into Facebook Home. Is Google stepping in merely to pull Intellectual Property lot out from under their competitors? It does not sound like a typical Google move.
No matter what happens, I would hope that who ever takes Waze keeps it as it is. Any full integration into Google, Facebook, or Apple could mean the end to a good app.
Check out Waze on Android and iOS.
No comments:
Post a Comment