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The social network could be eyeing a purchase of the company known for its social navigation app, says business Web site Calcalist.

Facebook may be aiming to spend anywhere from $800 million to $1 billion to acquire Waze, an Israel-based company that offers a social GPS app for drivers.

Talks reportedly kicked off six months ago, according to Israeli business site Calcalist, which says that due diligence is currently underway, meaning the two companies are checking each other out before signing on the dotted line. The two also have signed a term sheet, or an agreement in principle on the sale, according to Calcalist.

An agreement sounds like it could be close. However, sources close to Waze told the Times of Israel that a deal is not necessarily imminent. The two companies haven’t yet signed a memorandum of understanding, nor has Facebook apparently called any banks to finance the purchase.

Available for the iPhone, Android phones, and Windows Phone, Waze is a free mobile app that helps drivers wend their way through traffic via live maps, traffic updates, and turn-by-turn navigation. The social aspect comes into play as fellow Waze users can actually help ease your commute.

Any traffic jams or other obstacles faced by nearby Waze users automatically appear on the Waze map on your device. Other Waze drivers can also send out alerts of slow or hazardous traffic conditions to help you avoid them. Waze now counts around 45 million users. In March, 1.5 million people downloaded the mobile app, according to Calcalist.

Waze updated its app in October 2012 to allow users to sign in through Facebook to look up links near their destination and send messages to their friends.

Source: CNET.com

Depeche mode gave quite a show last night in Tel Aviv… check out these videos!

Selection of first Ethiopian-born Miss Israel reflects growing trend, as more and more opportunities become available for local Ethiopian beauty to be exposed, promoted

Read more via Ynetnews.com

Is there a better place in the world to get together and begin working on a new, innovative online venture than Tel Aviv… probably not. 12 gay leaders from across the globe got together to start working on a little something, involving Israeli youtube sensation, Idan matalon. Even though the project is still on the hush hush… we wanted to know their thoughts about the start up nation.. so we spoke to 4 of them!

1. Stijn Bourlet

From: The Netherlands

Was this your first time in Israel ? If so, was it was you expected?

It was the first time I visited Israel. I heard so many good things about the country and especially about Tel Aviv. A lot of my friends visited the city and really enjoyed it. You can imagine I was very excited finally going there.

What was your favourite spot ?

My favourite spot for breakfast was definitely Benedict. Lovely staff, tasty food and a nice atmosphere. Another place which I really enjoyed was Gordon Beach.

Did the Tel Aviv nightlife live up to its reputation?

I was lucky because I celebrated Independence Day with thousands of other people in Tel Aviv. Dancing and drinking on the streets, on cars… It was amazing. Actually It felt a bit like Queens day in The Netherlands.

The city offers really good parties in awesome venues. Also international parties are given regularly.

How would you describe the Gay Scene in Israel?

In comparison with Amsterdam the gay scene in Tel Aviv is not that different. I noticed people in the city like to party and It’s possible to go out every night.

The only difference is that gay people most of the time only go out to gay places. In Amsterdam we’re all partying together (straight&gay) and occasionally go out to a gay bar or club.

Are there any similarities between Israel and your home country (or Tel Aviv and your home city)?

The similarities that I noticed during my stay were positive energy, friendly (and sexy!) people, good food and like my own city I really felt save in Tel Aviv.

Do you intend on visiting Israel again soon ?

I would love to go back soon!

2. Lucas Ribeiro Gelslöichter (DJ Flamefly)

From: Madrid, Spain (born in Brazil)

Was this your first time in Israel ? If so, was it was you expected ?

Indeed yes, and I had lots of expectations about the country. The security control drains a little energy from you, but once you start feeling the energy of Tel Aviv, it´s worth every step of the way. Despite of my preconceptions, I always try not to idealize a place because you might get disappointed. There isn’t enough time in a week to explore the city a bit deeper (besides the weather wasn´t as good as mr. Idan told me, but it´s ok) but I think I felt so good because all those people around me. It was a once in a life time experience.

What was your favourite spot ?

I reaaaaally enjoyed going to Jerusalem. I´m not religious at all, yet I do have my beliefs. It´s all about energy, and the faith and passion of the people as we have heard before… Can move mountains !

Did the Tel Aviv nightlife live up to its reputation ? 

I´m a DJ and the nightlife catches my attention. Besides, many people from Israel go to Spain on holidays, so when I went into the Forever Tel Aviv party, I honestly felt like I was in one of those parties in Spain, seeing so many familiar faces. Israeli people definitely know how to party… But after all… They all go to Spain looking for more! Hopefully I´ll be returning to Tel Aviv for a gig soon !

How would you describe the Gay Scene in Israel?

I gather that the gay scene is very strong and present on social basis. I wasn´t expecting the support that we are receiving (despite of the magnitude of our project). I can´t say much more because our leisure time was quite limited.

Are there any similarities between Israel and your home country (or Tel Aviv and your home city) ?

I guess no place is like Israel, and it´s quite complicated to make a comparison, also based on the background. Yet I see happy people on the streets, having fun, enjoying football matches on a bar… That´s very similar to Spain.

Do you intend on visiting Israel again soon ?

Definitely yes, there´s much more to see and explore, I cannot wait for my next trip ! And I wanna go to the Dead Sea !!!

3. Rafael Pezott

From: Paris, France

Was this your first time in Israel ? If so, was it was you expected ?

It was my first time visiting the Holy Land.

I expected a lot more but unfortunately time was pretty short and I haven’t seen much of  Tel-Aviv, but what I saw was amazing enough to make me want to come back. Business talking, it surpassed all my expectations.

What was your favourite spot ?

Jerusalem was the greatest thing i’ve seen in years, it was very touching, walking over so much history.

Did the Tel Aviv nightlife live up to its reputation ? 

I think so, there seems to be a great nightlife with lots of options for everyone. One thing must be said, the MUSIC was amazing everywhere we went.

How would you describe the Gay Scene in Israel?

The gay scene is very well represented by it members, sexy, enthusiastic and very enjoyable. The great energy makes gay life in the city so real and respected.

Are there any similarities between Israel and your home country (or Tel Aviv and your home city) ?

Not at all, in Paris life is a bit slower and quite calm, considering we are a big touristic city with people coming in and out non-stop we don’t have a nightlife like in Tel Aviv.

Do you intend on visiting Israel again soon ? 

Absolutely YES, I’ll be back in August during the summer, to guarantee I’ll have a lot more sun to enjoy the beach and explore Tel-Aviv a bit better.

4. Oriol Pamies

From: Barcelona

Was this your first time in Israel ? If so, was it was you expected ?

Yes, it was my first time in Israel, and now that i’m back I keep on asking myself.. Why I haven’t been sooner!
It was absolutely unexpected, Freedom, open-minded, happy, electric and crazy. I really fell in love with the country..

What was your favourite spot ?

I have two favourite spots.

The first: Evita Bar. Really nice place, people were so nice, music was fantastic, the shows were so funny/amazing… Perfect atmosphere. Special thanks to Igal Raanan who was so friendly and made us feel like home
Second: The “Forever Tel Aviv” party. AMAZING. After the party, when all the ambassadors arrived at the Villa, everyone was like WOW, WTF WAS THAT? Perfect music, beautiful people, hard party. Just loved it, can’t wait to go back.
Special thanks to Ohad Heim; Amazing host!

Did the Tel Aviv nightlife live up to its reputation ?

Of course! After those crazy nights in Tel Aviv, I’m just recommending the city to everyone!
People really have to head to the city. I think that I’m not the best PR person for the city in Spain!

How would you describe the Gay Scene in Israel?

Very united. Really friendly and open to the tourism. Serious in terms of organization, and fucking crazy at party time. A positive balance with an awesome energy. An example to follow for the other countries on the Middle East.

Are there any similarities between Israel and your home country (or Tel Aviv and your home city) ?

Before coming to Tel Aviv I was told that it was  similar to Barcelona. IT’S TRUE!
We both have nice beaches, amazing history and monuments, crazy nightlife, hot guys.. etc.
Maybe that’s why I felt like home and why I connected with people here! ^_^

Do you intend on visiting Israel again soon ?

Are you kidding me? In the next few days I’ll be booking a flight to Tel Aviv for the Gay Pride! So I hope to see you guys  during one of the craziest Prides in the world. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.
Tel Aviv, here I come again!

There’s something about Soccer (and as a Brit, by that I mean Football, pulease…) that seems to have captured investors’ imagination of late.

A case in point: FTBpro, a large fan-generated content platform has now secured $5.8 million from Battery Ventures and Gemini Israel Ventures to fund global expansion. The site currently has 20 million monthly page views, over 1,000 contributing fan writers, covering all major leagues worldwide and publishes content and tools in a variety of languages. And they are not the only one. The move comes just after ‘The Football App‘ raised its first institutional funding with a €10m Series A from a syndicate led by Earlybird Venture Capital in Berlin. The Football App has become a pretty dominant mobile football app amongst European fans.

On FTBpro, fans can publish and interact with each other and FTBpro’s editors. The site features match predictions, videos, imagery slideshows, team line-ups and player rankings amongst others.

Based out of London with R&D is in Tel Aviv, FTBpro’s business model is advertising and brand sponsorships. It works on Android or iOS and the competition includes sports UGC players Bleacher Report (US), which was acquired by Time Warner Sports.

For its part, The Football App has 3.5m monthly and up to 1.5m daily active users, says it is putting on a 100,000 users a day across 155 markets and with high retention rates. They will use the funds to grow internationally.

More to come in this space I dares say as ‘second screen’ app take off.

Source: Infoxicate.me

TA celebrates ten years since UNESCO proclaimed the historic zone of the city as a World Cultural Heritage site.

more via Jpost.com

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