Google acquires Endoxon to enhance European map-based services

by Adam Turner

Wednesday, 20 December 2006

Google users are set to have a better view of Europe, with the search engine giant to acquire the internet, mapping and data processing business units of Swiss-based mapping service Endoxon.Google users are set to have a better view of Europe, with the search engine giant to acquire the internet, mapping and data processing business units of Swiss-based mapping service Endoxon.

Endoxon's Ajax-based services power Google Maps-like European services such as travel, real estate and local search web sites. US-centric Google has been slower than competitors Yahoo! and MSN to expand its services into the local search space beyond North America.

The Endoxon acquisition with help improve Google Maps services across the continent, blogged Google Earth & Maps director John Hanke.

"The Endoxon team has demonstrated passion and innovation in online mapping and has developed compelling technology that will enhance our Google geo products worldwide. We're also excited about having a dedicated team in Europe that can bring a distinctively European focus to our Maps products in those markets," Hanke said.

Under the deal Google will stop selling Endoxon's products but continue to service existing customers. Endoxon's remaining three business units - Data, Cartography And Direct Marketing - will be spun off into a new company called Mappuls.{moscomment}

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