Google Buys Clever Sense, the Developer of Location-Based Recommendation App Alfred

Google has acquired Silicon Valley-based startup Clever Sense, the maker of mobile application Alfred. The app uses artificial intelligence and machine-learning algorithms to provide personalized recommendations for nearby restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Clever Sense team will become part of the Google local services division. Clever Sense CEO Babak Pahlavan said, “Ultimately, it was a question of how we can take this to a whole new level?” In addition to recommending local venues, Clever Sense was also discussing using its technology to make deal recommendations and recommend local activities and entertainment. The purchase may be a step forward in Google’s goal to create a “serendipity engine” that suggests things based on user’s locations.