Android Apps & Games – Android Authority
Most of us use Google Maps for getting directions, but is it the best option? Other navigation apps, such as Waze, are more community-focused and have accumulated over 140 million users since they launched. Users act as the eyes and ears on the road to provide up-to-the-minute traffic conditions. It even has a carpool variant to cut the cost of gas in half. Here’s everything you need to know about Waze and why you should consider using it.
Read more: Ten best driving apps for Android
THE SHORT ANSWER
Waze is a free, interactive navigation app for both Android and iOS. It uses crowd-sourced data to deliver real-time traffic reports to users.
KEY SECTIONS
What is Waze, and how does it work?
Does Waze work with Android Auto and Apple Carplay?
Is Waze free?
Who owns Waze?
Is Waze better than Google Maps?
What is Waze Carpool?
What is Waze, and how does it work?
Waze first launched in 2009 as a free, crowd-sourced navigation app to get users to their destinations faster. It relies on its community of users, map editors, beta testers, and partners to provide real-time traffic data on accidents, congestion, speed cameras, obstacles, and more. In other words, Waze is structured in a way where the more users it gains and the larger it scales, the more accurate its information becomes.
In 2013, Google bought Waze for $966 million. It has since developed all kinds of social and geo-gaming elements that make commuting engaging and rewarding. For example, everyone starts as a “baby Wazer.” The more you travel and report incidents along your route, the more points you accumulate towards leveling up to a “Waze knight” or even being among the few anointed to “Waze royalty.”
In 2017, Waze opened up to motorcycle users and added specialized routes for those eligible to drive in carpool lanes. It also lets users choose their navigation voice. Some featured voices include Morgan Freeman, T-Pain, DJ Khaled, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cookie Monster, Colonel Sanders, Kevin Hart, Shaq, and other celebrities.
How does Waze work?
Waze collects crowd-sourced information to calculate average speeds, check for errors, and directions for turn-by-turn navigation. Therefore, drivers share real-time information that translates into traffic conditions and road structure.
You can actively report traffic conditions, accidents, police traps, blocked roads, weather conditions, and more. Waze then cross-references these reports to deliver the most optimal route. In short, drivers are incentivized to work together to improve each other’s driving experience.
The service requires an active internet or mobile data connection to operate correctly. Without an internet connection, you can’t locate or navigate a route.
Read more: How to use Waze: Turorial, tips, and tricks
