Opinions about Waze – Mobile GPS application
At a time when GPS sales are losing speed, mobile applications with location system and navigation, as for them, are experiencing a real rise. The reasons? free use of some of them, easy and quick use on your phone (This avoids having two devices) and updates in real time thanks to the internet connection.
Waze is part of it and its community GPS system, i.e. updated instantly and managed by users of the platform, has everything to seduce the largest number of drivers.
So what is Waze? How does the application work? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of its use? To know everything about the Waze app, follow the guide!
What is Waze?
Launched in 2008, Waze is a free mobile application for community GPS navigation. His name comes from the pronunciation in English of the word " ways" which means paths, paths.
Waze relies on a user-modifiable map based on the principle of web 2.0. The update of road data is done almost in real time taking into account the state of traffic and information provided by drivers. The app can be used anywhere in the world!
Despite the various existing systems on the market, the app has a great success and now has about 12.5 million users in France.
Waze has since been bought by Google in 2013.
How does it work?
Connect and launch the application
Just download the Waze app on your mobile (Android – iPhone). It's free. Then you follow the instructions to navigate directly or you can also create your Waze account, useful if you want to keep your traffic data. You have the option to provide a number of information such as your phone number or connect directly to your Facebook account, but it is not necessary.
After accepting the general conditions, you arrive on the application interface. You can also check the vehicle type used: car, motorcycle...
To launch the navigation, you must click on the magnifying glass and enter the coordinates of the place where you want to go. You can also add favorite addresses like home, work or your favorite stores! Waze also offers a voice function that avoids typing the address.
Playful feature of the application: creating your Waze avatar to choose from several icons.
Indicate a report
With the operation of Waze based on a community network system, you can indicate what you want to other drivers like an accident, traffic jam, a police radar, a bare road... and all in real time. To do this, simply click the orange bubble and send your report. This will allow users to be immediately informed of road traffic.
Parameter management
To manage your options such as voice, brightness, card display type, route with or without toll or speed meter... you just need to press the magnifying glass and then the icon symbolized by a scented wheel.
You can also use Waze while listening to audio content such as music, podcasts or audio books without leaving the app. Simply click on the “music note” icon at the top of the map. You then have access to your content like Spotify, Deezer or Youtube Music.
Good to know: Through social networks, you can add knowledge by inviting them to the application. The aim is, for example, to share routes with them. People who send the itinerary will also be able to track your journey in real time. Practical to reassure relatives! Another asset, you can also find the gas stations closest to you with the price of fuels. But not only! Also find the car parks or restaurants nearby.
Advantages and disadvantages of Waze
Benefits to use Waze:
- Free application
- Simple user interface
- Very precise cartography
- Traffic and Accident Alert on the Road
- Very good precision on the location of fixed and mobile radars
- Change and search for alternative routes that can be modified in real time
- Ideal to know the best fuel prices
- Real-time speed
- Possibility of listening to audio content at the same time
- Useable all over the world
Disadvantages to use Waze:
- The application does not propose route planning with step management
- The speed and speed of receiving the GPS signal depends on the smartphone's quality
- Need an internet connection to work
Waze: the opinion of the editor?
Trying is to adopt it! We tested several GPS systems and Waze is one of our favourites. Indeed, first of all the application is free and has interesting and rather complete community functions. Of course, the search for an address could be a little more reliable and you need a good internet connection to be able to use the application. But we greatly appreciate its features, its easy-to-use interface, and its precise mapping. It’s safe that if you want even more options then you’ll have to go to other paid applications but Waze does his job and is made to please most drivers. Good trip!
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