Tech giant Google is close to finalizing a deal to purchase Waze, an Israeli-based startup. Citing anonymous sources, Bloomberg says that the startup will be purchased for $1.3 billion, a report coinciding with a similar article by financial newspaper Globes. The publication says that a deal could be reached and announced as early as this week, putting an end to months of negotiation. If a deal with Google goes ahead, it could be one of the Internet giant's most expensive acquisitions to date. Some of the most expensive purchases include Motorola Mobility in 2011 for $12.5 billion, online advertising firm DoubleClick in 2007 for $3.2 billion, and YouTube for $1.65 billion in 2006. Apple and Facebook are also interested in buying the five year-old startup, according to people familiar with the matter. Microsoft is an investor within the company. |