Whether you use them for long road trips or your daily commute, Google Maps and Waze make avoiding traffic a lot easier. Both apps got better on Wednesday thanks to five new featuresincluding alerts about traffic conditions that may affect you even if you’re not currently in that location.
Here is the new information:
Easier reporting: Community reporting is one of the Google map‘ and Waze’s most useful features. With the touch of a button, you can let other drivers know about crashes, road works, police, etc.
Not only will Google Maps now show you reports from other Waze and Maps users, but they’ll also be easier to access thanks to larger buttons. You’ll also be able to see which apps the reports are coming from. This feature is rolling out now.
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Featured buildings: Navigating to a new building, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the parking in the area, can be difficult. Now, when you arrive at your destination, Maps will light your destination building and its entrance along the route. The map will also highlight nearby parking lots and their entrances. Google plans to roll this update out sometime in the next few weeks.
New camera report: Speed and red light cameras are becoming more common across the US, and Waze is adding new types of cameras to keep up. To help drivers comply with local laws, Google says Waze will now alert drivers to cameras that enforce HOV lanes, seat belts, speed, and red light laws.
In some communities, drivers may even receive alerts about cameras that monitor cell phone use while driving. These reports are said to come from both the Waze community and a publicly accessible database, and are currently being rolled out.
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Real-time alerts about your favorite places: Waze always reports real-time traffic, but it will also notify you in advance if your usual route is disrupted — even if you’re not there. If you drive frequently in an area or have saved places there, you’ll get notifications if traffic changes nearby. If road closures for a parade or a big concert cause congestion, Waze will let you know what’s going on and suggest alternate routes if necessary. This feature is available now.
Navigate when locked: To help you navigate as safely and distraction-free as possible, Waze can now provide directions, including turn-by-turn directions, traffic updates, and hazard alerts, from your phone’s lock screen. This feature will be available on Android this month and on iOS this fall.
