Waze
Waze is a community-based GPS navigation app that provides real-time traffic and road info based on crowd sourced data. Users report accidents, police, hazards, etc. to alert other drivers.
navigation
traffic
crowdsourced
driving
community
Waze: Community-Driven GPS Navigation
Real-time traffic and road info for a safer commute, powered by user reports of accidents, police, hazards, and more.
What is Waze?
Waze is a crowd-sourced GPS navigation and traffic app launched in 2008. It provides turn-by-turn navigation along with real-time traffic updates, road hazard reports, and user-submitted edits of roads and addresses.
Key features of Waze include:
- Real-time traffic updates - Users can report accidents, traffic jams, police traps, etc. to alert other drivers in the area.
- Crowdsourced mapping - Users can make map edits like adding, confirming or changing roads, addresses, landmarks.
- Social networking integration - Users can share their drives and connect with friends on Waze.
- Free to use - Waze generates revenue from location-based ads displayed on the map.
Originally started in Israel, Waze was acquired by Google in 2013 for $1.1 billion. It has over 100 million users as of 2022.
Compared to standalone GPS navigation from the likes of TomTom or Garmin, Waze provides a more social, interactive navigation experience focused on routing drivers along the optimum route based on live traffic conditions.
Waze Features
Features
- Real-time traffic updates
- Accident/hazard reporting
- Speed limit and speed camera alerts
- Social features and gamification
- Crowdsourced mapping
- Navigation and turn-by-turn directions
- Offline maps
Pricing
- Free
Pros
Free to use
Very accurate, real-time traffic data
Great for avoiding traffic jams
Social features connect drivers
Rewards points for reporting/editing maps
Cons
Drains phone battery
Potential privacy concerns
Relies on user reports (not 100% comprehensive)
Can suggest unsafe/illegal routes to save time
Official Links
The Best Waze Alternatives
Top Travel & Location and Navigation and other similar apps like Waze
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