Facebook reportedly in talks to buy social mapping service Waze
Waze, the social mapping and traffic service that Apple once recommended as a potential alternative to its own iOS Maps solution, is reportedly in talks with Facebook about a possible acquisition by the networking giant.
Facebook could pay as much as $1 billion for Waze, according to two unnamed sources who spoke with Bloomberg. Talks between the two companies are not final, those people said, and could eventually fall apart.
The move would allow Facebook to compete with the likes of Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia and others who have their own mapping solutions.
There were rumors early this year that Apple was potentially interested in buying Waze to bolster its own Maps application for iOS, but those claims turned out to be inaccurate. Apple did, however, promote Waze as a potential alternative when the company apologized to customers who felt that Apple's new mapping solution, which debuted in iOS 6, was substandard.
Waze is available for iOS as a free download on the App Store. The company claims more than 30 million people use the service as a "fun, community-based traffic & navigation app."
With Waze, users share real-time information on traffic congestion, gas prices, accidents, speed traps, checkpoints and more. Some data is automatically reported by simply having the iPhone application open while driving.
Facebook could pay as much as $1 billion for Waze, according to two unnamed sources who spoke with Bloomberg. Talks between the two companies are not final, those people said, and could eventually fall apart.
The move would allow Facebook to compete with the likes of Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia and others who have their own mapping solutions.
There were rumors early this year that Apple was potentially interested in buying Waze to bolster its own Maps application for iOS, but those claims turned out to be inaccurate. Apple did, however, promote Waze as a potential alternative when the company apologized to customers who felt that Apple's new mapping solution, which debuted in iOS 6, was substandard.
Waze is available for iOS as a free download on the App Store. The company claims more than 30 million people use the service as a "fun, community-based traffic & navigation app."
With Waze, users share real-time information on traffic congestion, gas prices, accidents, speed traps, checkpoints and more. Some data is automatically reported by simply having the iPhone application open while driving.
Comments
A well-respected location and mapping industry expert commented on the rumored price earlier today:
http://blog.telemapics.com/?p=423
Industry market share of a single company gets diluted with all the crap parallel products.
Gone are the times to lead the market share with best services.
So many companies want to mimic other companies' services.
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Apple please step in and buy WAZE its really cool but as for accuracy and search iMaps is better.
If that happens, I'm dropping it. No thanks, Facebook.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Applelunatic
If that happens, I'm dropping it. No thanks, Facebook.
Don't worry, they're just floating the Facebook $1B rumor so Google will step in and buy them for $2B. It'll fit nicely into their portfolio alongside Motorola, and a bargain at that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse
Don't worry, they're just floating the Facebook $1B rumor so Google will step in and buy them for $2B. It'll fit nicely into their portfolio alongside Motorola, and a bargain at that.
And even worse acquirer. Double no thanks!
Oh good. More distractions while driving. Thanks Facebook.
Apple, please f*cking buy Waze and keep FB out of my car.
FB + Waze = monetized directions? Ugh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDW2001
I love Waze. I'm also pretty sure Facebook will destroy it and try to monetize it to death. Can't wait for the popup that says "want real-time hazard and police reports? Upgrade now to Waze Pro for only $9.99" SMH
I just don't see what's with all of these companies that feel the need to generate revenue to cover their costs. Just give it away and make it up in volume!
Quote:
Originally Posted by barthrh
I just don't see what's with all of these companies that feel the need to generate revenue to cover their costs. Just give it away and make it up in volume!
So you're saying Wave generates no revenue right now without being monetized to death with microtransactions? If not, what exactly is your point?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ad7100
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Apple please step in and buy WAZE its really cool but as for accuracy and search iMaps is better.
Agreed. Double Nooooooo! I use Waze for navigation, traffic congestion, gas prices, accidents, and other hazards. I've found that it can't be beat by Apple Maps, Google Maps, or MotionX GPS for navigating around traffic. For this, the social aspect is great. But I don't need to chat with other users or collect goodies. I don't need to post on Facebook where I am in my commute. All this other superfluous social stuff is just distracting. Just tell me how to get around traffic and get me to where I want to go as fast as possible. Unfortunately, I think Apple buying them would just restrict Waze's capabilities and flexibilities.
Sweet jesus, please no. It doesn't need to be any more social than it already is - it should be transparently using data from other drivers, but I don't want to know who they are. This is what makes Waze great. I would like to see some of those implementations in Apple maps, real time user speed/reporting of accidents and gas prices etc, but nothing else.