In June, Google acquired Waze, and promised that “nothing practical” would change. Today, Google announced that Waze reports will now be integrated into the Google Maps experience, and that Google features will be integrated into the Waze experience.
Google Maps users will now incorporate incident reports from Waze on Android and iOS. Users will get Waze updates about accidents, construction, road closures, etc. The feature will be available in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
Reports within Google Maps will not include Waze profile information.
The Waze app will be getting Google Search, in addition to its other search options, so users will be able to use Google’s listings when looking for businesses and addresses.
Waze’s Map Editor will also include Google Maps Street View and satellite imagery to help make it easier for users to correct reported errors.
Waze says Street View and aerial imagery will be “invaluable” to not fix problems as well as to indentify what the issue is in the first place.
“It can also help to fill in house numbers, street names, turn restrictions and other missing data,” says Waze says in a blog post.
In June, it was reported that the FTC was reviewing Google’s purchase of Waze. Google doesn’t appear to be waiting before moving ahead as planned.