Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
They say Waze has no future because it'll eventually be integrated into Google Maps, and yet, the app keeps getting new features regularly. Moreover, all these updates sometimes make Waze even better than Google Maps, especially from a traffic information and ETA perspective.
Waze announced a massive update a few weeks ago, and now the company has started sending out emails about the included features, suggesting the rollout is around the corner.
The company says these features will land on users' devices "over the coming weeks," though it didn't share more specifics to let us know when it plans to kick off the rollout.
The email mentions all the new features that were originally promised, including notifications for sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths. These warnings give users more time to slow down, both on urban roads (where speed bumps are very frequent) and on country roads or highways where we typically encounter curves and toll booths.
Additionally, the new Waze will also include alerts about approaching emergency vehicles, though the feature will only be available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and France. Drivers will start seeing alerts about speed limit decreases so they can reduce speed before they reach the zone enforcing a new limit.
Roundabout navigation will get an update with additional guidance, including detailed instructions on what lane to use and where to exit.
The "new" Waze will bring all these features to iPhone and Android, and it's safe to assume at least some of these alerts will also be available on Android and iPhone.
Waze has also simplified the reporting experience, consolidating some options to make more sense for drivers. For example, the option to report a vehicle stopped on the road has been integrated into the "blocked lane" report, as Waze assumes that a car stopped on the road (and not on the side) typically blocks a lane. By allowing users to report a blocked lane (and which lane specifically), Waze offers more context on the hazard, also giving drivers extra time to use the correct lane to avoid the obstacle.
Waze also considered simplifying the police reporting experience, at one point even removing options to pin hidden police and speed traps on the side of the road. All options eventually returned to Waze, as marking police on the map remains an essential feature for a substantial part of its user base.
The company has also released an updated map color palette similar to Google Maps. The dark mode interface on CarPlay uses new colors that make the road more distinguishable from other visual elements, with navigation becoming more convenient at night. A similar color palette has also started rolling out for the daytime mode, with the updated colors making Waze feel fresh and more modern.
The company says these features will land on users' devices "over the coming weeks," though it didn't share more specifics to let us know when it plans to kick off the rollout.
The email mentions all the new features that were originally promised, including notifications for sharp curves, speed bumps, and toll booths. These warnings give users more time to slow down, both on urban roads (where speed bumps are very frequent) and on country roads or highways where we typically encounter curves and toll booths.
Additionally, the new Waze will also include alerts about approaching emergency vehicles, though the feature will only be available in the US, Canada, Mexico, and France. Drivers will start seeing alerts about speed limit decreases so they can reduce speed before they reach the zone enforcing a new limit.
Roundabout navigation will get an update with additional guidance, including detailed instructions on what lane to use and where to exit.
The "new" Waze will bring all these features to iPhone and Android, and it's safe to assume at least some of these alerts will also be available on Android and iPhone.
Waze has also simplified the reporting experience, consolidating some options to make more sense for drivers. For example, the option to report a vehicle stopped on the road has been integrated into the "blocked lane" report, as Waze assumes that a car stopped on the road (and not on the side) typically blocks a lane. By allowing users to report a blocked lane (and which lane specifically), Waze offers more context on the hazard, also giving drivers extra time to use the correct lane to avoid the obstacle.
Waze also considered simplifying the police reporting experience, at one point even removing options to pin hidden police and speed traps on the side of the road. All options eventually returned to Waze, as marking police on the map remains an essential feature for a substantial part of its user base.
The company has also released an updated map color palette similar to Google Maps. The dark mode interface on CarPlay uses new colors that make the road more distinguishable from other visual elements, with navigation becoming more convenient at night. A similar color palette has also started rolling out for the daytime mode, with the updated colors making Waze feel fresh and more modern.
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