Google Maps

This Acquired podcast episode analyzes Google Maps' development and Google's acquisition strategy. The hosts discuss Google's acquisition of Where 2 Technologies, Keyhole, and ZipDash, highlighting the technological innovations and key personnel involved. They detail how these acquisitions, particularly Where 2's innovative tiling technology and Ajax implementation, enabled Google Maps' rapid development and dominance. The episode also explores the subsequent creation of Google Street View and the competitive landscape with Apple Maps, emphasizing the importance of speed, user experience, and data in the mapping industry. A key takeaway is that Google's early acquisitions, while seemingly small, laid the foundation for a massive, globally impactful product and platform.