Google Brings Waze Features to Google Maps for iOS and Android

Google announced in a blog post today that it is implementing some of Waze's features in the Google Maps applications for both iOS and Android. Beginning today (the update is rolling out gradually), users of both devices will be able to view real-time incident reports from Waze users, including accidents, construction zones, road closures and more.

The rollout is currently limited to 13 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico, and will rely on data from Waze's user base, which was reported in June to be nearing 50 million users.

Users of Waze are not being left in the dark either, as Google will be gradually rolling out its powerful Search feature into both the web and mobile versions of the Waze service, which will allow for more accurate search results, including the ability to search for local businesses and specific addresses. The Waze Map Editor also features Google Street View after a public beta testing period, which should allow for more accurate maps and route planning.

Waze began as an Israeli startup back in 2008 and was acquired by Google in June of this year for a reported $1.03 billion. It had been rumored that Apple was considering purchasing the company in order to improve its own mapping service, which suffered a number of teething problems since the start, but the deal reportedly fell through over differences in Waze's perceived valuation. Unlike other Google buyouts, such as that of Sparrow, the development of Waze is still active and there are currently no plans to merge the two products.