Google Maps integrates traffic app Waze

Google on Tuesday said it began integrating into its online maps features from the Waze traffic app it acquired earlier this year in a deal said to be worth some $1 billion.

"No one likes getting stuck in traffic. That's why the Waze and Google Maps teams are working together to harness the power of Google technology and the passion of the Waze community to make it easier to navigate your daily life," said the tech giant's Brian McClendon in a blog post.

"Users of Google Maps for Mobile will now benefit from real time incident reports from Waze users," he added. 

McClendon said "Wazers" reports on accidents, construction, road closures and other issues will appear on the Google Maps app for Android and iOS in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Switzerland, Britain and the US. 

In June, Google announced plans to buy the crowd-sourced map app Waze, which was launched in Israel to help users of Apple and Android smartphones. 

In addition, the Waze Map Editor now includes Google Street View and satellite imagery to make it easier to correct map errors reported. 

"We've incorporated the power of Google Search to the mix," a Waze blog post said. 

"Google Search joins a host of other search providers featured on Waze, from Foursquare to Yelp, making it easy to find favorite businesses, home addresses and more." 

Google's upgrade of its maps comes as it ramps up efforts against Apple and other rivals to be at the heart of mobile internet lifestyles, particularly when it comes to providing advertising or services relevant to where people are at any moment. 

Satellite tracking technology commonly built into smart phones lets Waze automatically measure traffic flow while simultaneously verifying or modifying public street information in its database. 

Drivers can upload comments, along with pictures, from along their routes to alert fellow "Wazers" to anything from accidents or detours, to a favourite place to grab a cup of coffee. Waze also provides users with turn-by-turn directions.

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Google to offer more 3-D, offline maps

Google unveiled some upgrades to its mapping software on Wednesday ahead of Apple's expected announcement that it will ditch Google Maps on iPhones and iPads in favor of its own technology.

At a news conference at its San Francisco office, Google previewed a handful of upcoming features, including the ability to use Google maps without an Internet connection. Android users will be able to take maps offline from more than 100 countries and access them when they're out of Wi-Fi range or on the subway, for example.

"No longer will you need paper maps," said Rita Chen, a product manager for Google.

The offline mode is expected to become available for Android devices within a few weeks. There was no word on whether that feature will extend to other devices, such as the iPhone. Apple, however, is expected to announce at its developers conference next week that it's dropping Google's mapping app for its own version.

Other new features will include more detailed 3-D mapping of urban areas. Google said it will begin to add 3-D images of buildings to its Google Earth app for mobile devices. This will require chartered airplanes equipped with Google cameras flying over cities to capture the imagery.

"We're trying to create the illusion that you are flying over the city, almost as if you were in your own personal helicopter," said Peter Birch, another product manager.

Google also showed off a new backpack unit, nicknamed Trekker, that will allow for more images of remote, off-road places best reached on foot. The backpacks are rigged with cameras that technicians can use to snap Street View images of hiking trails and other wilderness locations, such as national parks.