Why Facebook would buy Waze: To fight Google for mobile search
Waze in Facebook Home
(Credit: Facebook)
Rumors that Facebook is in late-stage talks to buy Waze for as much as $ 1 billion have many wondering if the social network’s next great ambition is to tackle the maps and navigation market. Maybe — but only because maps would be Facebook’s best way to route around Google and make money from mobile search.
Founded in 2007, Waze makes a navigation application for iPhone and Android used by roughly 45 million people. The app’s mapping service is powered by the people who use it. Waze ingests all types of location data as shared, either implicitly or explicitly, by drivers. The app also connects to Facebook and incorporates social-networking functions so drivers can see their friends’ whereabouts on the map, share their location, and even send private messages.
Should Facebook buy Waze, the social network will send a clear message to Google: “Watch out! We’re on your tail.”
Facebook would like to be a formidable force on mobile and not just capture attention, but ad dollars. If it has to get into the maps business to do so, so be it.
Waze Chief Executive Noam Bardin inadvertently said as much when he … [Read more]
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