Waze alternative

Anyone know of a decent replacement for Waze? Now that google is pushing homes for sale onto it I’m done with it.

Conversation 26 comments

  • wright_is

    Premium Member
    14 February, 2019 - 9:54 am

    <p>Not much hellp, I've never used Waze and only used Google maps about half a dozen times in the last 10 years. </p><p>I generally use the built-in nav system in my car, when I need it – generally once or twice a year.</p>

    • steenmachine

      14 February, 2019 - 12:59 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#404749">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>You commented to say "no comment"? </p><p><br></p><p>;-)</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

      • wright_is

        Premium Member
        14 February, 2019 - 1:17 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#404787">In reply to SteenMachine:</a></em></blockquote><p>Just to point out that you don't necessarily need a navi system. We managed to get around for a few thousand years without them. ;-)</p>

        • bill_russell

          14 February, 2019 - 3:43 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#404791">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>I guess you don't really need a smartphone either, just maybe a flip phone for emergencies? Smartphone based navigation can give traffic updates and in Waze you will hear that police and other hazards are ahead and you can report them too. I find all that very useful, but of course you could survive without it.</p>

        • starkover

          14 February, 2019 - 7:33 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#404791">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Same can be said about indoor plumbing.</p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    14 February, 2019 - 12:19 pm

    <p>Gross. Can't they just leave these things alone and let them be? If you need to monetize then offer an alternative paid option. Don't just barf up all this crap on a navigation app. If anything should be as spartan as possible it is navigation. Sorry, to answer your question I'd probably recommend Google Maps as another free option since I believe it actually incorporates Waze data into its route guidance. You might also check out INRIX; they've been around for a while. <a href="http://inrix.com/mobile-apps/&quot; target="_blank">http://inrix.com/mobile-apps/</a></p><p>As an aside, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of this before. A quick web search turned up a bunch of stories on various real estate news sites but nothing on the major tech blogs.</p>

    • bill_russell

      14 February, 2019 - 3:40 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#404775">In reply to Chris_Kez:</a></em></blockquote><p>I was curious and tried Waze lately just because I thought Maps was getting too bloated at least for general day to day commuting which so far I think Waze is better for that anyway. The first thing I see in Maps lately is "explore nearby" taking up half the screen by default and that strikes me as a form of "seamless advertising" if anything. </p><p><br></p><p>Also, either a free app has an obvious ad-banner or not. Normally if a free app has no ad banner or in app purchases then I start to get concerned about the business model and if the app will just wither over time or relies on dubious monetization methods. In the play store it does say "contains ads". </p><p><br></p><p>Only that you knew Google owned it made you feel like it was wrong to have an ad banner in a free app. That's why I think google just owns it to get additional driving data for Maps, while allowing Waze to do what it wants, like insert an ad banner if it wants to.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

  • AnOldAmigaUser

    Premium Member
    14 February, 2019 - 3:55 pm

    <p>Well, I imagine all those people who are buying cars with integrated Waze navigation are pleased as punch about this development.</p>

    • evox81

      Premium Member
      15 February, 2019 - 12:03 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#404863">In reply to AnOldAmigaUser:</a></em></blockquote><p>Who uses the navigation built in to their car in the age of Android Auto and Carplay?</p>

      • AnOldAmigaUser

        Premium Member
        15 February, 2019 - 10:38 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#404985">In reply to evox81:</a></em></blockquote><p>The people who buy new cars with Waze built-in. Several manufacturers are advertising it.</p><p>Absolutely agree that it is sort of stupid. The lifecycle of cars and applications are totally different. Best thing any manufacturer could do would be to but in a simple interface plug and let people attach the tech of their choice…but there is no money in that.</p>

        • Daekar

          18 February, 2019 - 12:04 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#405068">In reply to AnOldAmigaUser:</a></em></blockquote><p>If someone offered that, they would get a much more serious look from me. I'm absolutely dreading having to get a new car precisely because all the systems out there are complete garbage.</p>

      • skborders

        15 February, 2019 - 1:11 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#404985">In reply to evox81:</a></em></blockquote><p>I use mine all the time. I have my phone set on do not disturb automatically when I get in the car. If I had Apple car play, I might use it instead, but I don't.</p>

        • evox81

          Premium Member
          15 February, 2019 - 1:30 pm

          <blockquote><a href="#405123"><em>In reply to skborders:</em></a></blockquote><p>Sorry for the hyperbole. I definitely understand quite a few people use their car's built-in nav, because it's their only option. But if you do have Android Auto or Carplay, I can't see any good reason to use the built in nav, whether it's Waze or not. </p>

          • jwpear

            Premium Member
            18 February, 2019 - 10:18 am

            <blockquote><em><a href="#405124">In reply to evox81:</a></em></blockquote><p>Having just purchased a new vehicle in 2018, it seems that 2018 and 2019 models were the first models, for many manufacturers, to offer CarPlay and Auto support. That partially drove my purchase decision. </p><p><br></p><p>I was surprised to see that some were so late. I'm guessing it has taken them some time, either intentionally to up sell or due to the engineering and production adjustments needed, to trickle this feature down from the higher end models.</p><p><br></p><p>But I agree with you, once you have CarPlay or Auto, why use the always outdated and often less full-featured built-in nav system. </p><p><br></p><p>I love using my nav app of choice with CarPlay. I actually wish the car manufacturers would ditch their infotainment UI's entirely and just write apps for CarPlay and Auto. The infotainment UI's are often crap and I hate the cumbersome switching between the infotainment UI and CarPlay to fully use the features. At least, it's cumbersome with the Honda infotainment system.</p>

  • locust infested orchard inc

    14 February, 2019 - 6:06 pm

    <p>The geniuses at Mountain View know how best to monetise and eke out $$$ from their software without charging the user for the privilege of using it.</p><p><br></p><p>Unbeknown to the billions of Adoogle app/software users out there, they are the product, vis-à-vis their all important data. Sadly people seem unfazed by the unethical traits of Google the data gobbler.</p>

  • evox81

    Premium Member
    15 February, 2019 - 12:11 am

    <p>I was a big Waze proponent for years, particular in the Windows Phone days, but it just wasn't cutting it anymore. It's routing has no "intelligence" outside of looking at the conditions 'right now'. (e.g. if it's 4:59PM and a road is flowing, Waze will suggest it not knowing that in 1 minute, it will be a parking lot that you're stuck in the middle of.) </p><p><br></p><p>So <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">honestly… Just go with Google Maps. </span>Significantly better routing that takes anticipated traffic in to consideration. It incorporates a lot of Waze data (unfortunately, no hazard/obstacle warnings), but also incorporates its own. It's a far superior mapping service. </p>

  • Chris_Kez

    Premium Member
    15 February, 2019 - 9:58 am

    <p>There are still quite a few paid mapping/navigation services that have been doing this a long time. That may be the way to go if you have regular need for this type of service and don't want to deal with the in-app bloat you see in Waze.</p>

  • Belralph

    15 February, 2019 - 10:49 pm

    <p>I'm probably just complaining at seeing a simple fun app change hands and get messed with. I really liked the pre Google Waze. I miss the special voice packs. Anyone remember Arnold "Get Down!". The Morgan Freeman was good too. </p><p><br></p>

    • Bats

      17 February, 2019 - 12:49 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#405251">In reply to Belralph:</a></em></blockquote><p>Waze changed hands to Google 5 years ago. You're just seeing that now?</p><p><br></p><p>LOL…you are hot and bothered by that? As far as I know, Waze has been doing this for a couple of years and you are just starting to get bothered it by it now?</p><p><br></p><p>I don't use Waze, but if home listings are being advertised…..that's actually pretty genius! I actually have 3 friends who are in the market to buy a house. </p>

      • Chris_Kez

        Premium Member
        17 February, 2019 - 6:38 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#405447">In reply to Bats:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think the first real estate partnership was announced just over a year ago, and more were added in the summer and more again in the fall, but when you actually see it– and when it becomes annoying– will depend on the rate of uptake by local brokerages in your area.</p>

  • ben55124

    Premium Member
    18 February, 2019 - 9:43 am

    <p>No need to be exclusive. Use Google maps and HERE. Use google maps when you have mobile data. Switch to HERE maps when you are in bad coverage areas. Of course, download offline HERE maps prior to being in bad coverage areas.</p>

    • evox81

      Premium Member
      18 February, 2019 - 11:04 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#405629">In reply to ben55124:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree, you don't have to be exclusive. I will add, Google Maps (at least on Android) does support downloading offline maps. </p>

      • Daekar

        18 February, 2019 - 12:03 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#405635">In reply to evox81:</a></em></blockquote><p>It does, but does not support walking navigation when using offline maps. We didn't find this out until we were wandering around in Rome and found out our offline maps were useless for walking. This is why I also have HERE on my phone with three states of offline maps downloaded all the time.</p>

  • johnh3

    18 February, 2019 - 1:12 pm

    <p>I use mostly Here WeGo. Possible to download maps to it. Its now owned by BMW, Audi and Mercedes if I remember it correctly.</p>

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