Waze: A GPS App, Game, and Social Network for iPhone
By: Hillel Fuld
GPS navigation apps have been a hot topic lately thanks to Google and its new turn by turn navigation on the Droid. Waze, another free turn by turn app on the iPhone, Android, Symbian, and Windows Mobile, does something that no one else does, including Google. They offer a feature packed GPS app based exclusively on user generated content.
What that means is that Waze users update the map actively and passively when the app is running, offering other Waze users real time, updated, and accurate information about the roads, the traffic, and any other detail a traditional GPS app would not. Waze is full of innovative social features, such as the ability to view icons in real time that represent other Waze users in your vicinity.
Obviously, the more people that use Waze, the more effective the app will be, but even now, with their 200,000 plus uses across the US and Israel, the app offers coverage of a lot of areas, and the best part is due to its social nature, the app is available for free on all platforms. Take that, Google.
In terms of the interface, it is pretty simple and game-like. When opening the app, you are presented with an initial screen in which you sign up for the service. That takes a minute or two, then you are up and running. I found the icons to be a bit too small, especially if you are meant to be driving and pressing them at the same time, but I am nitpicking here. The app is fun, innovative, and pure awesome, everything a mobile app is meant to be.
Another great feature is that the social layer of Waze ensures that the information you are seeing is not outdated like on many other GPS apps I have used. It is uploaded to Waze automatically when users launch the app. The app also offers users the ability to customize their icon and the way they will appear on other users’ displays, as well as set your “mood” in the app itself.
In terms of the kind of the things you can report and view reports updated by others, there is traffic, which is updated automatically based on the time it takes your vehicle to reach its destination, police traps, car accidents, and more. Basically, to sum it up, Waze has so many cool features, you would expect it to be a complicated and difficult app to operate, but that is not the case. The icons are playful and fun, and the entire interface is completely intuitive.
Did I mention that Waze includes the ability to update your Twitter followers about your journey? They seemed to have covered everything in the app, the only issue I can see is that Waze, being the social platform that it is, is very much dependent on users and their input. However, the cool part is, the Waze community, just like any other community, is a give and take situation. The more info you share with the community, the better your driving experience becomes.
Full Disclosure: I have, and continue to work with Waze on various projects.
Our Rating: 5/5
Developer: Waze
