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FTC Reviews Google's Purchase of Navigation App Waze

Posted by samzenpus on from the taking-a-closer-look dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Google's acquisition of Waze has piqued the interest of the FTC and is now facing an antitrust review. "Google confirmed that it has been contacted by lawyers from the Federal Trade Commission over the company's '$1.1 billion acquisition of the mobile navigation company Waze, which closed in mid-June. A Google spokeswoman declined to comment on details of the antitrust review by the FTC. Representatives of the agency didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.'"

7 of 95 comments (clear)

  1. Shutting out competitor or buying up talent? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I guess the question is, is this Google trying to shut out a potential competitor (I don't see them being a real threat, the technology is easy to copy before they get too big), or simply buying up obvious top talent. I think its the later in my mind.

    1. Re:Shutting out competitor or buying up talent? by gl4ss · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I guess the question is, is this Google trying to shut out a potential competitor (I don't see them being a real threat, the technology is easy to copy before they get too big), or simply buying up obvious top talent. I think its the later in my mind.

      if it's like a normal google acquisition it's the latter - but will end up effectively as the former.

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      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Shutting out competitor or buying up talent? by Stiletto · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I'm sorry, what exactly makes Waze's talent "top" as opposed to any other software company out there that could get bought?

      And if Google is hurting for talent (something tells me it isn't), surely they could hire people for less than $12 million per head in this difficult job market.

      The only talented person in this transaction was whoever convinced Google to pay over $1.2B.

    3. Re:Shutting out competitor or buying up talent? by dwillden · · Score: 5, Informative

      Waze's maps on initial import from official sources are poor. But are rapidly exceeding the quality of the maps of services (including Google) which are built entirely by paid employees. Even Google's adoption of user editing has still lacked in the rapid update ability of Waze.

      When there are active editors in an area (a key criteria) the maps are accurate and update to match new construction far more quickly. When something significant happens (for example the Hwy 89 landslide in AZ back in Feb, or the bridge collapse in WA). Waze's maps are updated within minutes of the news being reported. Google was quick on the AZ slide but still trailed by a couple days. Waze had the road disconnect, implemented and updated into the live map within 24 hours, changing the routing instructions users received to take them on one of the alternate routes. (I know, I made the edits in Waze.)

      When I started with Waze I immediately liked it because of two new commuter routes that had been recently built, my Tom Tom still didn't have the older of the two routes even though it had been in existence for two years by then. Google had that one but another one that opened up just a couple weeks before was already mapped into Waze and Google didn't have it yet. Waze's maps are good, and if an area has active editors are more accurate than even Google's maps and overhead images.

      I do grant that in many areas there is still much to be done, but Waze's maps even in the areas needing work are improving faster than Googles.

      There are even countries with entirely user built road networks that are not only more complete but more accurate than what Google or anyone else has. Waze is NOT a one trick pony, live traffic reporting and on the fly re-routing is the primary reason for it's creation, but it has progressed beyond that point.

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      I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig.
  2. Who needed the other? by bogaboga · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Let me answer that:

    Google didn't need Waze. This is a purchase to keep Waze out of Microsoft or Apple's hands. They won't admit it but It must be painful for Microsoft because they are a Waze investor.

  3. Editors are fucking illiterate morons by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "piqued"

    You fucking illiterate editors.

  4. Horsecrap by The+Cat · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Disney didn't face any review when they bought Lucasfilm, Pixar and Marvel all within a few years of each other.