Google Maps and Waze are improving and getting closer 🚗

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Google has just announced a series of major updates for its navigation apps, Google Maps and Waze. These aim to improve user experience and enhance road safety.

More efficient incident reporting on Google Maps ⚠️

One of the main new features concerns Google Maps, which now has a completely redesigned incident reporting interface. Users can more easily report issues such as accidents, traffic jams, road closures, or construction work thanks to larger and more accessible icons. This feature, inspired by Waze, also allows other drivers to confirm reported incidents. Google Maps will thus have access to a collaborative and real-time road information network.

Source : Google

Additionally, Google Maps introduces a new « destination guidance » function. This highlights the entrance of the destination building and indicates nearby parking. The feature should be particularly useful for night-time travel or in unfamiliar places.

Source : Google

Waze enriched with new alerts and features 👮🏾‍♀️

For its part, Waze is not left behind and offers several new features. The app now allows users to report different types of cameras. These include those detecting speeding, running red lights, using reserved lanes, not wearing a seatbelt, or using a phone while driving. It’s important to note that this feature may not be available in some countries. In France, for example, local regulations do not allow it.

Source : Google

Waze also introduces an information function on local events likely to impact traffic, such as concerts, marathons, or sporting events. Users will receive push notifications about road closures related to these events.

Source : Google

Finally, Waze will soon allow users to continue receiving navigation instructions even when their smartphone screen is locked. The feature will be available first on Android before coming to iOS.

Increased integration and divergence of use 🔄️

Although the two apps are increasingly sharing features, they continue to offer different experiences. Waze users particularly appreciate the community aspect and real-time alerts. While Google Maps is preferred for its accuracy and integration of navigation data.

With these new features, Google aims to offer a more complete and secure navigation experience, leveraging the strengths of each application and the power of its user communities. These updates will be rolled out gradually worldwide on Android and iOS platforms, as well as for those using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Do you use either of these apps while driving? If so, what do you think of these new features? Let us know in the comments.