14 DAY TRIAL // Google has acquired Clever Sense, both companies have announced. Clever Sense is the maker of the Alfred mobile app, which focuses on personalized local recommendations.
The app uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to discover the type of places you like so its recommendations become highly personalized in time.
The app worked so well, it seems, that Google wanted it for itself, quite possibly so it can integrate it into Google Places and the rest of its local services and products.
"Today, we are excited to join Google and start a new chapter in curating the world around us!," Clever Sense announced.
"Together with the Google team, we will accelerate our efforts toward this shared vision. Google helps local businesses connect with potential customers, and its worldwide presence can bring the value of Clever Sense to a much larger audience," it said.
Apparently, the team will continue to work on the mobile app, though it will probably start incorporating some Google services at one point. What's more, Google could start using some the technologies and algorithms behind the app for its own recommendation products.
"We worked hard to build the Clever Sense Platform to tackle the problem of information overload in the real world. Using that platform, we built Alfred to create a simple, enjoyable, and powerful way to discover new places and help make decisions on the go," Clever Sense explained.
Google is very focused on local services, discovery tools, location, recommendations, the whole nine yards. It all centers around the new Google Places, Google Maps the integration with all of Google's other products, search in particular.
Google sees a future where your phone will be able to suggest things for you to do, without you even asking, based on your location, time of day and so on. The technology employed by Clever Sense brings Google one step closer to that vision.