Any successful transportation company in the world relies heavily on maps. Uber’s app is basically a navigation app but with additional features like booking a cab and GPS. Recognizing how crucial maps are for its operations, Uber has acquired the mapping assets from Microsoft, which include data center, cameras, intellectual property, and roughly 100 engineers.

Microsoft has confirmed that it will no longer collect mapping data as it efforts to focus on the company’s core business strategy. Microsoft usually sources mapping data from Nokia and other partners for maps but it also used to collect its own 3D, [...]