A SHORT SUMMARY
Pros
- Team work: Every driver contributes to the community by sharing his experience on the route he is using
- Real time Information
- Social component
- Saves time and money
- Updated navigation maps
Cons
- Quantity of users
- Smartphone Battery usage
Waze
A GPS base road navigation application for Smartphones with GPS support which provides turn-by-turn information provided by other drivers. The app allows users to provide travel timelines and route information as well.
Waze is more than just another traffic app; it connects drivers to one another, helps users create local driving communities and improve their day to day driving experience. Users can login the application on their Smartphone and navigate to their destination while contributing information on traffic and other road data. This will help other drivers in the same locality avoid road frustrations such as traffic, police traps and provide on information on new routes. But is Waze really worth all the hype? Let’s find out.
Pros
Team work: Every driver contributes to the community by sharing his experience on the route he is using. He not only contributes but also gets information from other users who are ahead of him. This way they work together, as team, towards a common of beating traffic and using the best option to get to their destination.
Real time Information: There is tons of data available on road conditions and other information available in real time. Getting alerted as you approach police trap, a traffic jam or a road hazard ahead in real time is best and considering that road conditions can change around the clock. This will reduce the guesswork and help you prevent unfortunate backups.
Social component: Getting information on your destination’s route from other drivers adds an interested social component into the equation. More so if connected to Facebook, you will see your friends driving to their destination as well.
Saves time and money: Navigating through the shortest route or a route with minimal or no congestion saves you time as well as gas money. There is even data on the cheapest gas stations along the route which is great to know.
Updated navigation maps: By drivers contributing freely on their community routes, it will help Waze map editors to constantly work on improving Waze‘s maps.
Cons
Quantity of users: Although Waze can be used anywhere in the world, it would have to reach a critical mass of users for the app to be really efficient. Since there aren’t that many users, information can be limited in certain areas. However, the app is more efficient in bigger cities with multiple subscribers. But this is bound to change as the app gains in popularity.
Smartphone Battery usage: Using navigation on your phone will consume your Smartphone’s battery, so if you’re travelling over a long distance it is better to have USB charger to maintain your phone’s charge.
Conclusion
Waze is more than an app, it’s a community. And with more and more people subscribing, Waze will only improve. Waze is the only app of its kind to provide real time information on everything going on the road so efficiently. Waze can definitely save you time and money you’d otherwise have to pay on extra gas or tickets. All in all, minus a few drawbacks, Waze is a must for anyone who spends significant time in traffic.
