Waze is considered superior to Google maps at navigating by car in many parts of the world, yet it looks like Google is neglecting it. Why do you think they do so?
Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
1–10 of 19 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#2[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#3Waze is a competitor to the monetized product - Google Maps. I think the better question is why haven't they completely killed off Waze yet?
I have no idea, but I would guess it would be bad optics given the political climate that is able and willing to look into their monopolistic power and practices.
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#4money
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#5Big companies are like the Star Trek Borg they acquire companies to meld whatever tech they can use. I also suspect that getting rid of a competitor and acquiring its user base is always a plus for the acquirer.
Generally speaking, that's how they work so the demise of Waze is not a surprise. Google Maps will always be their primary product.
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#6Where is the indication that Google is “killing waze”?
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#7Where is the indication that Google is “killing waze”?
I'd guess from articles like https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/27/google-cuts-jobs-at-waze-as-...
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#8Clickbait. Downsizing a product team does not mean killing the offering, only that there are fewer hands required to maintain its ongoing operations while adding new features as the market dictates.
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#9Waze is a competitor to the monetized product - Google Maps. I think the better question is why haven't they completely killed off Waze yet? I have no idea, but I would guess it would be bad optics given the political climate that is able and willing to look into their monopolistic power and practices.
Huh I was about to reply that Waze is monetized too but it seems like they stopped temporarily:
>As of September 1, 2023, Waze is no longer selling Ads. We have turned down the current Waze Ads product. Advertisers can no longer purchase new ads. We are already working to transition Waze Ads to Google Ads technology and look forward to helping advance your business objectives through our new Waze Ads product soon.
Re: Ask HN: Why is Google killing Waze if so many consider it superior to Maps?
#10Big companies are like the Star Trek Borg they acquire companies to meld whatever tech they can use. I also suspect that getting rid of a competitor and acquiring its user base is always a plus for the acquirer. Generally speaking, that's how they work so the demise of Waze is not a surprise. Google Maps will always be their primary product.
>I also suspect that getting rid of a competitor and acquiring its user base is always a plus for the acquirer.
That's surely their thinking, but I believe that thinking is flawed: doing this brings a big risk of losing that userbase to a different competitor if the acquisition isn't handled to the userbase's liking.
In this case, how many users are they losing to Apple Maps, for instance?