Waze, the GPS navigation service that allows drivers to share traffic conditions automatically in real-time, has announced that it has hit the 12m user milestone, on the same day as it launches version 3.0 of its Android app.
The latest iteration of the Android app introduces an interface overhaul, as well as Foursquare and Yelp points-of-interest (POI) integration, adding a social layer and enhancing its local search navigation system.
Waze is a community-driven application that learns from users’ driving times to provide routing and real-time traffic updates. Earlier this month, we reported that Waze had hit the 10m user milestone and was making significant strides in the UK market. So Waze has basically notched up 2m more users in around a month, which isn’t bad going at all.
Waze launched version 3.0 for iOS back in October, which introduced a similar UI overhaul and social integration to what’s on offer with the latest incarnation of its Android app.
The latest interface design takes advantage of Android phones’ screen size by minimising the Waze interface to display only two large buttons on a full screen map. The other buttons are now all accessible under one on-screen menu that pops out.
In addition, a new display of traffic and events along the roads helps drivers choose the best route before they depart. The guidance system has been amplified with large fonts and text-to-speech capabilities for hands-free navigation.
Its new search feature that integrates with the likes of Yelp and Foursquare allows users to discover new points of interest, but it’s the usability that’s really noticeable here. You can now rotate the maps around with two fingers, rather than dragging or double-tapping, and overall the on-screen text is much sharper and pleasing on the eye.
Check out Waze’s official promo video for version 3.0 of its Android app below:
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