Waze Navigation & Live Traffic

Sometimes a simple GPS map is not enough. And although Google strives for more real time content on its maps, there is so much one company can do. Hence the true power lies in the community effort.

Waze is a GPS app that not only guides you, it also displays a plethora of traffic information that you might otherwise have no access to. This is because the best and the most frequent observer of traffic is the traffic itself.

Each vehicle is equipped with at least one pair of eyes that can spot and report to their fellow drivers what is happening. This has been in effect since way before satellites were supposedly placed up there to fall in a circle. Truck drivers communicate till this day by this principle.

Anyway, besides using Waze as a navigator, you can send reports about traffic jams, hazards, police presence and much more, including simple chat. All of the reports will appear on the map for every user along with car icons of the users themselves (icons can be customized but they all look like fat tadpoles on wheels).

Of course you are responsible for accurate information so as long as you have driven less than 100 miles you won't be able to edit gas price information. Yes you can check out gas prices along your route/in your area.

Every tadpole... I mean vehicle icon can be tapped to check who is in. User information will be displayed and you can message them directly. Courteous behaviour is advised. You can also send arrival times to other users to make sync an easy deal.

Once you have passed the 100 mile threshold, you will be able to change your icon and set gas prices. Other than that, all of the features will be available from the get-go.

Features

• Voice navigation
• Rich traffic status supplied by the community
• Messaging
• Gas station prices
• ETA communication

Pros

• Exactly what one needs while in traffic

Cons

• Might get addictive
• Buttons could have been larger

Conclusion

Waze is well thought out and accessible. Regarding the validity of the information, it is as accurate as the user base is. In any case, the power to communicate with your friends through the same app that you use to navigate is a step in the right direction methinks.