Google-owned Waze, the popular navigation app known for its community-driven updates, is rolling out two new features to make reporting and driving near schools safer.
New “Conversational Reporting” Feature
Waze users can already report road incidents like traffic, potholes, and construction. Now, the app’s new “Conversational Reporting” allows drivers to report issues hands-free. Instead of following set commands, users just need to press the reporting button and describe what they see in casual language, such as saying, “There’s a slowdown up ahead.” Waze will then interpret the message and log the incident, even prompting for additional details when needed.
In a promo video of the update seen by iPhone in Canada, the taxi driver in New York City can say, “5-0 ahead” and Gemini will understand and report police are ahead, for example. He also says something like, “there’s something up ahead,” then Gemini replies with, “what do you see?” and he then says, “trash can”.
This feature is launching in beta this week for trusted Waze testers worldwide in English on Android and iOS, and will gradually expand to more languages and users in the “coming months”.
School Zone Alerts
In an effort to improve safety around schools, Waze map editors will now be able to mark school zones on the map. When drivers approach these zones during active hours, they’ll receive alerts to drive carefully. This feature is set to roll out globally for Android and iOS later this year.
Waze can be very helpful when driving as the info comes crowdsourced from its own userbase. The ability to speak naturally to report road incidents will allow users to spend less time being distracted when using Waze.
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Waze is a product of the Apartheid government of “Israel”. Do not download, do not support if you care about human rights and ending racism.
Garbage in, garbage out. In many parts few use Waze especially after they removed the alerts section where didn't have to navigate the map to find issues along the route as part of your trip planning.