In terms of driving, Waze makes its fast and easy to get on the road, more so than Apple Maps or Google Maps. Hit the parking button, and you’ll be given any nearby parking and the distance you have to walk from that location to your destination. Tap the gas station button, for example, and you see list of stations and their gas prices. There are buttons that let you add a stop along your route, or find any gas stations, restaurants, or parking along the way. If you hit the “Go” button again, you’re taken to the route selection screen, which gives you the fastest route and point out any traffic on that route. You can search for specific buildings or addresses, which quickly brings up pertinent details, such as distance, business hours, and nearby parking. ![]() Once its tapped, you can choose where you want to go today or set up future trips. The big, shiny “Go” button is where most of Waze’s action lives. Waze brands this an eco-friendly option, a way to rideshare in a more personal manner. Riders pay directly through the app, which takes care of calculating gas, mileage, and any tolls. As a passenger, you must download different app: Waze Carpool. ![]() As a driver, you control matters using the Waze app itself, picking up extra passengers heading your way who share the cost of gas and tolls. You can choose whether you drive or ride. There’s a cool carpool option available as a sidestep to Uber or Lyft. You can also change your preferred gas type or set the app to avoid tolls and HOV lanes. For example, Car Info highlights taxi-only parking lots and potential charging spots for electric vehicles. Your options are Private, Electric, Taxi, and Motorcycle, and each category is nicely tailored to the needs of the vehicle type. This changes the routes the app gives you. One button re-centers the app on your current location, becoming a speedometer when it locks onto you. Next to that is a button that takes you to the “Car Info” menu, a place where you set the type of vehicle you’re driving. Waze is straightforward and simple, featuring just a few on-screen buttons. Popular brands, such as Starbucks and Exxon, have map icons, too, so you're know how far away you are from a fresh cup of Joe or a tank refill. These icons represent traffic jams, police, accidents, and road closures, all reported by Waze users (called “Wazers” in the app). Waze's maps are largely the same as those found in Apple Maps and Google Maps, but they feature a host of bright, colorful icons. You can use Livemap to plan a trip, then save the information to the mobile app. Google Maps also offers a web version, but Apple Maps does not-unless you count third-parties like DuckDuckGo that tap the Apple’s MapKit JS framework (Opens in a new window) to display map data in a browser. I primarily tested Waze on an Android smartphone, but the service also has a web-based version, Livemap, that gives you a bird’s-eye traffic view. The app is a free download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and both versions offer similar features. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. ( Read our editorial mission (Opens in a new window) & see how we test everything we review (Opens in a new window).) So, Waze lives in the daily commute or the long-distance drive. It's not the navigation app for walkers or cyclists. This is why Waze is entirely focused on driving Google doesn’t want two apps that do entirely the same thing. Google purchased the app in 2013, folding its crowdsourced driving data into the larger, broader Maps app. Waze is actually Google Maps' little brother. Unfortunately, Waze stumbles a bit in the ease-of-use department, despite its rich driving-focused maps. In addition, the app offers eye-catching maps and social features that add flair to a category not known for its pizzazz. It’s the app you fire up on your phone and slam into your dashboard's holster before speeding off. ![]() Waze has a distinct focus, one aimed at being the best companion for people getting from point A to point B in a car. Apple Maps and Google Maps offer more holistic features, providing detailed information for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.
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