Although Waze was bought by Google in 2013, the navigation application retained some exclusive features, such as the possibility of reporting disturbances (works, accidents, traffic jams, speed cameras, etc.). Not anymore, since we realized that Google Maps now benefits from this in its latest update.
In the field of navigation applications, three heavyweights monopolize almost the entire market: Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze. If the latter was bought by Google in 2013, the application kept its own territory, notably with a collaborative part.
The latter gave users the possibility of reporting traffic hazards (accidents, traffic jams, works, speed cameras, etc.), unlike Maps… Until version 11.134.0104 of the Google application, which made appear this function.
A dedicated menu
In the navigation screen, a tab on the right decorated with a bubble allows you to access this new menu, where you can report an accident, a mobile speed camera, a traffic jam, a work zone, a closed lane, a stopped vehicle or object on the road. Like Waze, then.
Google Maps // Source : Frandroid
Google Maps // Source : Frandroid
Your report will then be displayed on the map, alerting other users and the algorithm, which will then be able to calculate the fastest routes and estimated arrival time even more efficiently.
The version on which this new feature arrived, 11.134.0104, is available in beta in France, and should therefore soon arrive for all users. If Waze loses the exclusivity of this flagship functionality, it still retains some advantages, such as the possibility of planning a route or customizable voice guidance.
