Google buys mobile mash-up mapping technology

By Tom Sanders on Dec 20, 2006 9:29 AM
Filed under Software

Swiss acquisition to build out European mapping services.

Google has agreed to acquire parts of Endoxon, an internet mapping service based in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Google will acquire Endoxon's internet, mapping and data processing business units to allow the search provider to build out its Google Maps and Google Earth services across Europe.

The remaining parts of Endoxon have been spun off into a new company called Mappuls.

Endoxon's flagship product is a technology called Blue, which allows developers to create mash-ups and combine data from disparate sources.

The technology powers services such as travel sites and real estate listings for web and mobile applications.

The Ajax-based service offers detailed maps and satellite photos for Europe, but has only limited details for the US. Endoxon said that it will keep supporting existing customers, but will not sign up any new clients.

Google did not disclose how much it paid for the acquisition.