Waze Social GPS app

Forums › GPS, maps and mapping software › Waze Social GPS app

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#59884 14-Apr-2010 09:27

I've been using Waze over the last couple of months (www.waze.com). The best way I can explain it is like wikipedia for maps. You drive the roads and then edit them on the website. If you run it everyday on the way to and from work then it can find optimial routes, mark traffic jams, police traps, accidents etc.

I've done my best to build out the maps on the north shore and they should be at a level where they would be useful to people (most major roads are built and the majority of suburbs/smaller roads).

The application is free and available on iPhone, android and windows mobile (blackberry coming soon). The more people that use the service the better it will become for everyone.

xpd

Geek of Coastguard
14115 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4574

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#318223 14-Apr-2010 10:19

Just showed it to a colleague...hes installing it now :)
Looks quite neat.

Pity I dont have anything to run it on (looks at his sad little Motorola L6)

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

patatrat

261 posts

Ultimate Geek

#318228 14-Apr-2010 10:24

I tried this a while ago (maybe 4 months ago) and found the application buggy and would force close before I could anything (on android). I uninstalled fairly quickly.

I found the idea interesting, but apps like this are only good if a large number of people in your area use them. I might try it again to see if it has improved.

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 124

#318245 14-Apr-2010 10:50

Have just installed it on my Nokia 5800, even though when downloading it from m.waze.com it said the phone wasn't supported. Seems to work fine, will try it out more when I go to work a bit later.

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#318322 14-Apr-2010 12:12

I only run it on my iPhone so I'm not sure how good the other clients are, but if you're having problems try running one of the beta clients: http://world.waze.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2061

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#326762 5-May-2010 09:53

blackberry app just released today. They're also doing an ipad giveaway for the people who collect the most blackberries on the map.

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#339475 8-Jun-2010 18:08

New iPhone version out (1.9.0), adds better vector maps (less data usage), more social aspects.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#339481 8-Jun-2010 18:31

Installed it on my Windows Mobile a couple of days ago. While very well made, with some good functionality in the alerts reporting system, I think the whole "build the map yourself" then "edit on the web" is a waste for time.

They should license a map, and build the notification system on top of that.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#339600 8-Jun-2010 22:45

I think the whole idea is that if the map changes, due to road works, new roads etc then the changes can be pushed out to clients within 2 days, rather than waiting for the next map update to come along.

Unfortunately there's not a lot of roads been mapped in Wellington at the moment (from memory you're in Wellington).

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#339603 8-Jun-2010 22:47

Yes, but they should start from something. Building the maps includes using the client to map it, then going to the website to update names, etc? A lot of effort, even for a free tool.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10208

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#339655 9-Jun-2010 03:19

they could always have something where you traced over another map like a google one so that they are not copying the map.

Richard rich.ms

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#339739 9-Jun-2010 11:48

In major cities they have aerial images which you can trace over to make the maps and in the US/Europe they have base maps to work off. But in NZ we don't have a lot to work with.

There are some very active area managers who map out cities. Auckland, North Shore and Christchurch are well mapped out and this is expanding all the time. Wellington and Hamilton have started to be mapped, but need more active users.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

Noodles

487 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 95

#347056 1-Jul-2010 18:09

version 1.10 is out with iOS4 integration and background logging. It also added closer twitter and facebook integration.

GF74

85 posts

Master Geek

#360547 31-Jul-2010 09:52

I have just jumped on this bandwagon and i am very pleased to be able to get a free tool that has good coverage of my local area (most likely thanks to Noodles

) that provides me voice prompt navigation. I understand any potential annoyances if you are the first to get it in your area, but with only a few 'wazers' the major roads are soon filled in.

The other big benefit of this app is the real-time notification of traffic, road incidents etc. If you are stuck in traffic for a period of time the app automatically changes the condition of the road that you are on to indicate heavy traffic and users in the area are notified. The same applies if you come across some other form of traffic incident.

I am happy to assist in creating and evolving map of my area to contribute to an application that has many desirable features for free.

GF