Google acquired the navigation app Waze in 2013 for about $966 million.
Waze was founded in Israel in 2006 under the name FreeMap Israel and later became known for combining turn-by-turn directions with crowdsourced reports. Users could contribute information about traffic, accidents, road closures, police activity, and other conditions, helping the service update route information in near real time.
Google announced the acquisition in June 2013. Waze continued operating as a distinct application, while its community-based traffic data complemented Google’s existing mapping products. The deal was widely viewed as a way for Google to strengthen its position in mobile navigation and traffic information.
Waze is often confused with Google Maps because both offer directions and traffic data. They are separate products, although both are owned by Google and share some overlapping capabilities.