Waze use seems to be declining

November 29, 2020, 09:02 PM

Last year, when we traveled south, we had a lot of info/warnings from fellow Waze users. I run it on my phone, connected via CarPlay to the main screen on my SUV. I use an independent Garmin GPS for navigating. This year, hardly anyone appears on Waze. Too bad, I liked the interactivity of those traveling on our route.

November 29, 2020, 09:56 PM

mkueffer

It may be due to Google is adding features to Google maps since they purchased Waze. I do see updates from the Wazers in metro Milwaukee. But you also need to consider the bulk of the Wazers are now work from home and not providing the large scale input to provide map updates.

November 29, 2020, 10:05 PM

charlie12

I use it everyday running all over south Louisiana

November 29, 2020, 10:06 PM

ensigmatic

I would not be surprised to find Waze use declining. People are finding out there are significant privacy concerns, plus ISTR a couple significant security issues popping up over the last few months or year.

At the encouragement of family I briefly had it installed when we were in Europe. Truthfully: It didn't do anything for me Apple Maps did not, except for speed cams and traps. Since I don't speed like a madman, those generally aren't a problem for me. Plus Waze didn't work with my watch. I dumped it.

Google owns Waze now? Heh. No. Just... no.

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November 29, 2020, 10:07 PM

adobesig

Don't know about your area, but here there are a lot less drivers on the road during the pandemic here.

November 29, 2020, 10:12 PM

MikeinNC

Saw lots of wazers on our trip to and from western NC...saved me an hour in traffic by the Mississippi River....and the notifications were spot on...wrecks, stuff in the road etc...

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November 29, 2020, 10:33 PM

tatortodd

All of the speed traps on my annual 90-minute Thanksgiving drive were marked

November 29, 2020, 11:56 PM

snwghst

Waze is integrated into google maps now after it was bought by Google

November 30, 2020, 01:22 PM

M'headSig

quote:
Originally posted by snwghst:
Waze is integrated into google maps now after it was bought by Google

Some data might be, but not Waze's all important speed trap and police presence warnings, which have saved me from a ticket numerous times.

November 30, 2020, 01:37 PM

holdem

Just drove from Orlando to Elijay, GA and back for a Thanksgiving break in a cabin. There were plenty of Waze users on I-75.

November 30, 2020, 02:02 PM

YellowJacket

quote:
Originally posted by M'headSig:
quote:
Originally posted by snwghst:
Waze is integrated into google maps now after it was bought by Google

Some data might be, but not Waze's all important speed trap and police presence warnings, which have saved me from a ticket numerous times.

Google maps does have speed trap info integrated from Waze (which it has owned for about 6 years.)

November 30, 2020, 02:04 PM

PowerSurge

quote:
Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Google owns Waze now? Heh. No. Just... no.

Exactly. F that.

November 30, 2020, 09:36 PM

We used Waze a couple times last week for trips of 1 to 6 hours. Just about all road hazards were identified and all cops were marked by users. One cop would have been impossible to spot - probably saved a lot of people speeding tickets.

November 30, 2020, 10:56 PM

Beanhead

I use Waze a lot. One main reason is to double check my cruise control when traveling....

November 30, 2020, 11:28 PM

Edmond

quote:
Originally posted by holdem:
Just drove from Orlando to Elijay, GA and back for a Thanksgiving break in a cabin. There were plenty of Waze users on I-75.

The portion of that drive from the Florida border to Macon is awful. Troopers hiding everywhere.

December 01, 2020, 04:29 PM

Chowser

It's still being updated by users. We did a 700 mile road trip on Friday for Semper Fi Dog Rescue and Waze reported all the speed traps for us.

Used it this morning to find multiple crashes people were calling in and unsure of their location. Let me check waze. Hmmm...oh you're there, not my city. lol. of course we did have a bazillion people run off the road today because it's our first snow storm and people that have been living here forever forgot how to drive in the snow.

December 01, 2020, 09:17 PM

coloradohunter44

Another good thing purchased by big tech and effd up. Sad.

December 01, 2020, 10:49 PM

mikeyspizza

I don't see Waze use declining. I use it everyday doing deliveries.

Yes, Google Maps warns of speed traps (info from Waze), but if you're using Google Maps to navigate there'ss no way to input a speed trap, object on road, or to report that it's not there anymore. Maybe if you are handholding your phone there is, but not if you are running it thru the car via Android Auto or Apply Play.

Google Maps does not redirect you in event of traffic jam, etc.

I think Google Maps does a better job of showing the locations of things. For example, say you want to go to the nearest Walmart. In Google Maps, search for Walmart and it shows the locations on the map along with your location. Waze shows a list of addresses, which doesn't help much unless you already know the address you want.

December 02, 2020, 07:27 AM

rbert0005

Besides, it gets old getting off the highway, going thru some neighborhoods just to get back on the highway 5 mile down the road.

Bob

December 02, 2020, 08:22 AM

Perception

quote:
Originally posted by mikeyspizza:
I don't see Waze use declining. I use it everyday doing deliveries.

Yes, Google Maps warns of speed traps (info from Waze), but if you're using Google Maps to navigate there'ss no way to input a speed trap, object on road, or to report that it's not there anymore. Maybe if you are handholding your phone there is, but not if you are running it thru the car via Android Auto or Apply Play.

Google Maps does not redirect you in event of traffic jam, etc.

I think Google Maps does a better job of showing the locations of things. For example, say you want to go to the nearest Walmart. In Google Maps, search for Walmart and it shows the locations on the map along with your location. Waze shows a list of addresses, which doesn't help much unless you already know the address you want.

I think they are in the process of porting the good features over as they kill off waze. The last time I used it, Google maps has added the ability to report that a speed trap is no longer there.

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