Waze, the GPS app that relies on the driving community for helping individual drivers, has been recently updated to version 3.0.
This video emphasizes the highlights of the first version of Waze. In the two years that passed since its launch, the app improved in two ways. First of all, the driving community expanded, fact that improved the accuracy of the app, as well as its overall functionality. Secondly, there are new features added by the developers, which affect the functionality, too.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qQux6-Cqig&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0&hd=1]
The second video presents the main changes that were brought by version 3.0 of the app. One of the first things users will notice is that the new interface is simpler to use and has a lot less clutter than the previous versions. In the lower left corner there is the menu icon. After accessing this, you get the option to:
- Navigate
- Write a report
- Check the My Waze profile
- Share
- Change the settings
- Switch off the app
If you choose the Navigate option, you will be presented a list of frequent destinations. The more frequently a destination is visited, the higher it will appear on the list. Searching residences and business has also got a lot easier, since the app also employs now FourSquare, Yelp and other such services. A map preview is also displayed when you pick a new destination. This will help you check out the surrounding areas. The best route is then selected depending on real-time info provided by the other drivers that are found along the route. In case the route changes, the initial ETA will also modify.
On the other hand, the button found on the lower right corner is for sharing road reports. When you tap on it, you will see a grid of icons. Here you have to select the type of report that you would like to share, depending on the situation. Swiping is another new feature that will be introduced in the new version of Waze. For example, by swiping the menu button to the right will take you to the Navigate menu, while swiping the Reports button to the left will take you to Report Traffic menu.
Waze is available for free download for all the major smartphone operating systems out there. In other words, it works equally fine on iPhone, Android smartphones, Blackberry, Nokia and Windows Mobile devices. Since this app gets better the more you use it and the more people are involved, all you need to do is install it on your smarphone and hit the road. This way, you will make the life better to the ones following you, while the ones ahead you will help you on their turn.
If you liked this post, please check these fleet tracking systems and these 3 geocaching GPS devices.
