Google Launches Waze Beta Program For Android

+Google company +Waze is starting up a beta program itself. The Waze beta program is +Android only and it is a closed beta, meaning you'll have to sign-up and get an invite in order to join the fun. Once you're in the program, you'll be treated to new features before they make it to the official release. You'll also be responsible for helping the team "find bugs and issues, providing valuable feedback on old & new features, and suggesting ways to make the app function even better". For your troubles, you not only get to play with the new version of Waze before anyone else, but the team is saying that there will be prizes given away. As yet, there is no word on what the prizes might be or what features are being tested. 

The system requirements to be in the beta are low enough as to not really matter. If you want to get in, just head over to the sign-up source link to get a chance. The sign-up for the beta is fairly in-depth, almost like a job application, so it seems the team is taking this seriously and may not be handing out invites to just anyone. Click the source link below to sign up.

Source: Waze

Google Confirms Antitrust Review Of Waze Deal

The Federal Trade Commission has contacted Google in regards to its $1.1 billion purchase of social mapping service Waze. Google announced earlier this month that it intended to purchase the Israeli company, but the very next day consumer watchdog groups called for an investigation into the deal.

Google confirmed to The Wall Street Journal on Saturday that it had indeed been contacted by lawyers from the FTC, but declined to comment further on the matter.

Waze has taken the mobile mapping space by storm with its ability to use the GPS in users’ phones to track traffic and suggest less congested routes. Since the beginning of the year there has been a lot of talk about who may purchase the service with both Apple and Facebook being noted as potential suitors.

While Waze’s revenue wasn't high enough to trigger an automatic review of the deal, there was enough interest there to see if the integration of the company into Google Maps would possibly hinder competition. Google stated earlier this year that it would not be a complete integration with some facets of Waze being integrated into Google Maps and vice versa, but that the company would remain a separate entity.

According to the report it seems unlikely that the FTC will completely kill the deal as significant evidence would need to be found that the deal would hinder competition. With Apple and Nokia being notable competitors to Google Maps at this time, this is more than likely just a review to make sure of Google’s intentions.

Source: The Wall Street Journel

Google Announces Waze Acquisition

Google just officially confirmed in a blog post that it has acquired mapping company Waze with some big plans to integrate the Israel-based company’s traffic related features into Google Maps.

As for what specific traffic features you might see come to Google Maps, Google’s Vice President of Geo Brian McClendon notes “The Waze community and its dedicated team have created a great source of timely road corrections and updates.”

Google had been rumored several times in recent weeks to be acquiring the company with the latest reports claiming the deal would be somewhere in the $1B range.

It was previously revealed that Waze was one of many mapping companies providing data for Apple’s new in-house Maps apps in iOS 6 and Apple was at one point rumored to purchase the company.

Waze’s mapping app, currently available for both Android and iOS, is  a “community based mapping” solution that focuses on social elements and user reporting while collecting “real-time traffic & road info.” Waze maps include features for users to actively report events such as local traffic problems or gas prices and also offers Foursquare check-in integration.

Google Close To Closing $1.3B Acquisition For Waze

Google could be on the final stages on the move to acquire Waze, the social traffic and navigation app. Globes, a native Israeli newspaper, has reported the deal could be in its finalization stages, with Google ready to announce within weeks.

The price has been bumped up, from $1 billion Facebook apparently offered to $1.3 billion. The reason behind Facebook’s departure from the bidding war was due to most of Waze’s staff living in Israel Facebook wanted them to move to the US, while Google is okay with them staying at home.

Google is gunning for Waze’s incredible social traffic service and navigation tools, to add to their already impressive Maps app. Google will allow Waze to continue running as normal and will sample and share technologies with the group.

This would be yet another big acquisition by Google and their third acquisition over $1 billion, behind YouTube, DoubleClick and Motorola Mobility. It would also be another $1 billion acquisition for a young Internet startup, following Instagram and Tumblr.

Google Considers Waze Acquisition

Bloomberg reports that Google is considering making an acquisition offer for mapping company Waze. Numerous reports over the past few weeks have claimed that Facebook is also eyeing an acquisition of the maps firm.

Google Inc. (GOOG), maker of the Android operating system, is considering buying map-software provider Waze Inc., setting up a possible bidding war with Facebook Inc., people familiar with the matter said. Waze is fielding expressions of interest from multiple parties and is seeking more than $1 billion, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. The Palo Alto, California-based startup might also remain independent, instead seeking to raise a round of venture capital financing, the people said.

Waze’s price-tag is current said to be around $1 billion.

Google’s potential bid would likely create a bidding war with the Menlo Park-based social network. Bloomberg reiterates that Apple is not in discussions with Waze. Rumors from earlier this year claimed that Apple was eyeing an acquisition, but many of those claims were immediately debunked. 

Facebook To Buy Waze For $1 Billion

Waze had reached the 20 million users mark and we are sure that the number would have doubled by this year. The app is basically a social mapping platform which enables drivers to navigate and access real time traffic data. Users can add and edit information like new landmarks, police presence, traffic jams etc using the app which would in turn help other fellow drivers.

Given that Facebook is trying to increase its presence in the mobile market, its integration with Waze would indeed be beneficial. Many of the features in Waze are unique to the app and bringing them on board Facebook Home would make a lot of users happy. Moreover, it would give Facebook a much needed edge over other competitors in the market like Google and Apple.

Also it is worth noting that Apple won’t be happy with this deal. Earlier this year, there were rumors of Apple trying to buy Waze for half a billion dollars. Waze’s integration into iOs maps would have given it the much needed push in the market, but unfortunately the deal did not go ahead.

Anyways, both Facebook and Waze did not comment on the rumors and looks like we would have to wait for an official announcement from the company to confirm this news.