Waze rolls out new features for better journeys

MANILA: GPS navigation software app Waze has unveiled a range of innovative new features which make the road experience better than before.

On a monthly basis, over 140 million users of Waze, which unites on and off-road communities worldwide, are driving more than 36 billion kilometers. Although traffic might not yet be at its normal levels, the app needs to assist drivers once they are finally back on the road.

The novel feature of Waze entails determining and responding to the individual needs of users, which allows them to go on smoother and hassle-free road trips.

Before driving, Wazers will be able to determine what should be expected, and they can modify their plans accordingly. This is greatly enhanced because Waze can connect the preferences and needs of drivers with valuable information that the Waze community provides.

Three aspects have also been emphasized and these include trip recommendations, recent locations, and live map save to app.

Trip recommendations offer a visual summary of all the details that the driver should know hours or minutes before driving like the duration of the trip as well as the traffic conditions on the road.

With reference to trips made in the past or recently, Waze can also make customized suggestions for passengers. This latest feature will aid drivers in determining what is going on while on the road, in modifying plans while there is still enough time to make adjustments, and if possible, be able to have a little time back.

The recent locations display to the drivers the destinations that they have gone to.  They are easily shown “front and center” when the drivers access the Waze app. With only one tap, the drivers can begin their navigation.

On the other hand, numerous Waze users who check on their upcoming trips monthly on the Live Map through their real-time information can now save their itinerary to their Waze app on their iOS or Android devices with a single click.

This offers a more streamlined interface across platforms, which eases the process of drive preparations through the identification of a suitable route and the time for leaving, even before one enters the vehicle.

Drivers can also benefit from the real-time hyperlocal expertise of Waze to let them know how they navigate and drive down the road.

Four features are involved and these include quick search, lane guidance, estimated time of arrival (ETA) improvements, and even a Batman theme.

Location badges can now be seen on the search bar to aid surface locations that provide fast and efficient curbside or drive-through pickup.

Aside from being able to locate the nearest parking lot or gas station along a user’s route, drivers will be able to look for other locations that support local businesses and promote social distancing.

Lane guidance informs drivers about the lane where they are currently in, when leaving or merging a stretch of highway or freeway. This allows the drivers to make lesser mistakes for them to be able to have a safer and stress-free driving experience. Moreover, drivers are able to maintain their original arrival time through this feature.

As more people are working from their homes, Waze needs to keep up with the changing routines of drivers, while helping key employees who have committed to maintain critical locations and enable them to be more functional and safer.

ETA estimates in areas where a smaller number of vehicles are have been enhanced, which has been extremely relevant in 2020 as it has been more difficult than ever to predict the changing traffic patterns.

For additional entertainment, drivers have the chance to activate the Batman experience on the Waze app and choose a DC Super-Villain or Super Hero through the selection of the classic voices of The Riddler (Wally Wingert) or Batman (Kevin Conroy) to serve as guide on their respective road trips. This particular feature can be availed worldwide in Portuguese, Spanish, or English until October 31.

Due to the stakeholders and community of Waze, which include public and private sector partners, broadcasters, and businesses, these groups will address mobility concerns worldwide, which have been affecting over two billion citizens and the urban areas where they are situated.

The new features of Waze are now available on the app itself. For more details, users can download the Waze app here.

Photos from Waze

Also read: Waze features new keywords to quickly search for Coronavirus (Covid-19) medical facilities