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For all the benefits the iPhone has going for it, there is one glaring omission, turn-by-turn navigation. It’s true that the Google Maps app provides some of this functionality (and may provide more in the future), but it is awfully difficult to follow a Google Map on your phone and keep yourself out of danger.

Up to this point many of the top GPS navigation companies have released apps for the iPhone. The only problem here is that they usually hover in the $50 – $100 range or require a monthly fee. On the other hand, Waze is a social and community-driven GPS application that is completely free.

How Waze Works

Waze uses data sent back to their servers from drivers using the application to keep the maps updated and also update current traffic conditions. This means the more people in your area that keep the app open while they are driving, the better the information will be that is available to others. If you are in slow traffic, Waze automatically updates the map to reflect the traffic conditions. If you happen to see a road hazard or a speed trap, you can report these to warn other drivers.

The Waze

You can even snap of photo of your surroundings, if you are at a complete standstill, and upload it along with your report. If a report is old, you may see a message asking if the report is still valid. If the hazard is gone or the police speed trap has moved on, you can report that these are no longer valid and Waze removes them from the map.

Waze uses a social gaming angle to help keep their maps up-to-date. If there are streets that have not been updated or verified, they are represented on the map with dots. When you drive down these roads your car, on the app screen, turns in to a little Pac-Man type character and you earn points for the dots you acquire. They call this ‘road munching’. Ocassionally you will see bonus icons on the map and driving over these will activate a sound and you will earn bonus points.

Over the holidays, there were treasure chests on the map and driving over these would unlock actual prizes that the folks at Waze would send out to you. As you accumulate points, you will get an overall ranking of how much you have used the app and made reports to the system.

But are the directions any good?

In using Waze over the last month I have found that it’s directions are generally very good. Waze tells you, up-front that it’s directions might not be optimal, but that it learns quickly. You can help it along by plotting directions to destinations you know and if Waze’s directions are sub-par, you can go your own way and help Waze learn the correct route. I have also found it helpful to always plot my route, even if I know where I am going, because Waze can route you around traffic along the way.

The gaming aspect of the app can be pretty addictive. You may find yourself going out of your way to ‘road munch’ as you head home or make a quick diversion from your route to pick up some bonus points. The coolest part of the app is the fact that there are people working together for a better mapping experience and providing real-time updates that an ordinary GPS navigator app simply cannot provide.

Get Waze from the iTunes App Store »

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About Iris Professional Services
Iris Professional Services is a computer consulting company operating offices in both Seattle and Portland. Businesses throughout the Pacific Northwest rely on our expert IT consultants for all their network IT support services.