The giant tech Amazon just acquires the 3D mapping start-up UpNext. The approximately $2.5 million deal will help Amazon build its presence in the mapping busines, beside Apple and Google that have both already shown their cards.
UpNext is a New York-based company, founded in 2007 by four high school friends Raj Advani, Vik Advani, Robin Har and Danny Moon, and fully bootstrapped until March 2011, when they raised $500,000. It offers a dynamic map with three modes from which to choose: Immerse, which uses a 3D touch interface; Explore, which allows you to immediately see what’s around you and highlight places you want to go; and Navigate, which gives point-to-point directions for driving, public transit or walking. But the most important, UpNext has launched apps for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices, covering 50 cities nationwide.
Amazon doesn’t have currently a mapping service of its own. This acquisition will help it to mark a move in this way, by offering native mapping capabilities, potentially points to a more robust Kindle Fire in the future, as well as perhaps an Amazon android smartphone.
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