Waze, the social navigation app that is reportedly an acquisition target for Google, among others, on Thursday unveiled an upgrade that includes integration with Facebook Events.
The upgrade, timed for the start of summer driving holidays, boasts one-tap navigation via the oft-overlooked Facebook Events. In theory, the app will remind you of planned events this summer and, when apt, will organize large groups driving to weddings, concerts or road trips in multiple cars. RSVPing to a Facebook Event will trigger directions at the appropriate time. In addition Wazers heading to an event can see which of their Facebook friends have already arrived. Of course, Waze will also use crowd sourcing to check the roads for the quickest, least-trafficked routes as well.
You can already find Facebook friends on Waze and engage with them on Map Chat, but the Events integration is new to version 3.7. The idea, says a rep, is to "minimize the work you have to do" for a get-together.
The increased Facebook integration comes as Facebook reportedly bowed out of consideration as a Waze suitor. Facebook is one of a trio of Silicon Valley giants said to be willing to pay up to $1 billion for Waze. The others are Google and Apple, though Apple CEO Tim Cook earlier this week denied that the company had bid on Waze.
image via iStockphoto, cogal
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