Free social GPS network service combines games and mapping technology to deliver real-time, crowd-sourced road intelligence for the fastest, smoothest route to get to wherever you need to go
PALO ALTO, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — May 26, 2010 — Waze, the world's social GPS application, today announced its official launch in Los Angeles – just in time to aid area drivers around some of the worst congestion the city has ever seen. Waze combines GPS data with real time, user-generated traffic updates to provide the most accurate and up-to-date maps with real-time road information geared toward everyday driving. The free Waze application for the iPhone, Android and Blackberry will give users some of the best traffic intelligence plus a little driving fun while they navigate – and conquer – Los Angeles’ traffic nightmares.
By downloading the free Waze application, Los Angeles’ drivers can receive real-time data on traffic and accidents as well as updates on other road incidents provided by other users that will cut their driving time significantly. Waze turns users’ GPS-enabled phones into nodes in a network of real-time traffic reporters – a social GPS network. By simply driving around with Waze open, users build maps, get traffic data, and alert other commuters to events on the road. With a few clicks, Waze users can also share information about construction, traffic jams, police traps and other road-related events important to fellow drivers. This live info is used to provide turn-by-turn driving directions, which are adapted in real time based on traffic conditions and other information in the Waze network.
Waze's “Road Goodies munching game” turns the navigation service into a simple point-gathering game that increases map and traffic-data accuracy. Cupcake and candy icon treasures are placed wherever there are gaps in Waze's map data. By “munching” those, users gain valuable game points while simultaneously helping Waze improve its data. Waze also combines driving games with smart map-updating technology, which keeps the map both constantly updated with real-time traffic information and free of typographical errors and missed directions. A Waze contributor scoreboard, available on the Los Angeles local site at http://www.waze.com/usa/losangeles/, helps users put their point totals into context. Users are able to see how they stack up against other commuters in their area as well as who is going up or down in rank.
“Our goal is to turn the Los Angeles traffic nightmare into a driving game that gets you to your destination as quickly as possible,” stated Waze CEO Noam Bardin. “With roadwork and freeway closures expected to aggravate already harsh conditions for the area’s residents, we’re elated to offer them a better, more fun Waze to go.”
About Waze
Waze is a free mobile navigation application that allows drivers to build and use live maps, real-time traffic updates and turn-by-turn navigation to improve their daily commute. Waze also has a social element that gives drivers the ability to actively update one other on traffic, police traps, construction, speed cams and more - and because it's 100% user-generated, the more people who use Waze, the better (and more fun) it gets!
Waze is available on the Apple AppStore and the Android Market Place and can be downloaded from the Waze web site for Symbian and Windows Mobile devices. To learn more about Waze online, visit www.waze.com or @waze on Twitter.
Contact:
The Fortex Group for Waze
Ephraim Cohen, 646-807-8721
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