Google Maps has added a number of new features that will now make Waze truly redundant.
These Google Maps Features Make Waze Obsolete
Google bought Waze in 2013 for $1.3 billion. The expectation was that Google would integrate the best features of Waze into Google Maps and that this would mean the end of Waze. However, that did not happen. Waze and Google Maps continued to exist side by side.
Analysts, industry experts and users continued to believe that it was only a matter of time before Google would combine the two apps. Google has never commented on this. latest updates suggest that Maps is slowly being expanded with Waze features. Since those features are making Waze redundant, we’re going to take a closer look at them.
Traffic information
If you’ve used Waze, you know its biggest feature is support for traffic alerts. Users can flag hazards on the map, such as speed traps, roadworks, accidents, and blocked lanes, helping Waze understand the traffic situation.
Google Maps has supported incident reporting since 2019, but the feature never really expanded beyond that. That changed this month when Google brought the feature to CarPlay, allowing users to report traffic incidents while they’re driving. Google also refined the feature with larger icons and a new report button, making it easier for anyone to flag a hazard on the map. Yet another reason Waze is becoming obsolete.
Import data from Waze
Maps has been using Waze data for some time, but Google is now more committed to improving the app using traffic information submitted by users. Maps now also receives traffic hazard information from Waze.
Google explains that the notifications come from the Maps and Waze communities, and that you can see which app a notification came from. This means that Waze becomes a more valuable source of data for Google Maps. The next time you’re alerted to roadworks, there’s a good chance that the information didn’t come from a fellow Maps user.
Warning for narrow roads
Like Waze, Google Maps will warn you of potential hazards on the road, helping to make every journey safer. Somewhat surprisingly, Google Maps has been updated with a feature that is not available in Waze. Namely, Google has developed an AI model for Indian roads that allows Google Maps to process information from multiple sources, such as satellite imagery and Street View, to identify narrow roads.
It is clear that narrow roads can be particularly dangerous for large vehicles and Google believes that warning users will help improve road safety. Users can avoid these narrow roads or, if unavoidable, drive slower and approach the location more cautiously.
So the feature is currently only available in India. It is unclear if the feature will be expanded to other regions worldwide.
Use the power of Google Maps
Another new feature that makes Waze rather redundant is destination guidance. Unlike Waze, which focuses primarily on getting users to a desired destination, Google Maps also includes walking directions. Destination guidance automatically highlights the building you are navigating to as you approach it and marks the entrance on the map.
If you can’t park in front of the building, Google Maps will highlight nearby parking spaces and give you directions to the building entrance. This way, you can continue using Google Maps on your iPhone after you’ve left your car, something that Waze also can’t do.
A CarPlay speedometer
Google Maps also got one of the most anticipated updates. Since last month, Google Maps, like Waze, has a speedometer, which allows you to see how fast you are going when navigation is enabled. Previously, this feature was exclusive to the Android ecosystem and Google Maps on CarPlay only showed the limit for the current road. This is another reason why Waze is becoming increasingly redundant.
Waze is becoming increasingly redundant
All of these changes are making Waze increasingly obsolete. The question is how long it will take for Google to realize that not only are the navigation apps similar, but that there is no point in having both on the market at the same time.
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