Waze + Google Maps: merging or not merging?
At the end of 2022, the Wall Street Journal revealed a merger project within the subsidiaries of the Alphabet group. Faced with a market that was already showing significant inflationary trends, in a shrinking tech market, Google then decided to reduce its costs, in particular by integrating Waze teams into its Maps offices.
Will the merger of Google Maps and Waze lead to the closure of one of these services? https://t.co/bmQwSHQLtL
— Better-Innovation.com (@betterinnov) May 15, 2023
Bringing together to better reduce costs
In fact, the Israeli application teams have gradually been integrated into the Google Geo team, in charge of advanced mapping tools (Maps, Street View, Earth, etc.). Following this announcement, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, indicated that he wanted to keep Waze as a standalone solution. We are not going to lie to each other, for many observers, it was a death announcement wrapped in velvet.
So far, so good
But yet, a few months later, Waze is still there! If the teams have indeed merged, the application continues to follow its path of development. Unlike an end of life, the application sees its presence on the market strengthen. For example, Google recently announced its native integration in some versions of Android Auto. In addition, the application has recently benefited from a major update, including in particular the notification of charging zones for electric cars.
So, finally, Waze and Maps, fusion or not fusion? As things stand, everything seems to confirm that each application will remain autonomous and independent. Of course, Maps boasts a whole set of features ahead of Waze. But the application is regularly updated to integrate its same options, with just a few months lag.
For the time being, therefore, if Waze seems bear the full brunt the policy of departures within Google, the application seems despite everything destined to remain in top form. So, take advantage of it on your next trip, and discover these tips to optimize your use of GPS!
