GeekWire’s app of the week: Waze

GeekWire says Waze is a great free app for voice navigated turn-by-turn directions. (Image: iTunes)

This week’s app of the week can cheaply turn your
smartphone into
a turn-by-turn navigation system.

GeekWire’s Todd Bishop says
the Waze social GPS
traffic & gas app, available for iPhone and Android
users, is a useful app, particularly for iPhone users.

“The reason I love it for the iPhone, is until IOS6 comes
out with built in turn-by-turn navigation, you’re stuck
with paying a lot of money for a turn-by-turn directions
app on the iPhone,” says Bishop.

The Waze app is a free alternative for users looking for
such a service on their smartphone.

Bishop says in addition to directions, the app also uses
crowd sourced information from other app users to alert
you to traffic incidents or routes to avoid.

The app also can save you money on gas, by pointing out
the cheapest gas on your selected route.

The social elements involve hazard, accident and police
alerts from other users, as well as chit chat and check-in
options.

Since this is an app to be used while driving, Bishop
recommends picking up a dash mount.

He also suggests you familiarize yourself with the voice
command system so you can use the device safely while
driving.

Overall, Bishop says he loves the app, and when he put it
to the test, it got him to where he was going, a location
specifically chosen because he’s had trouble finding it
before. The app even alerted him to an accident on the
way.

“And it was true,” says Bishop. “Another user had reported
it.”

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