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Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

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Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#31
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really doubt their yearly revenue for user with ads would be more than 5 dollars a year. So, 10 dollars a year. Add some nice corner-case features, maybe some gamefication bonus, and it could work. As a sidenote, "add $5 and round to the nearest ten" is equivalent to "round to the next ten" everytime.

Just to nitpick, if they earn $6, you add $5 then it'll be $11, rouding to next ten will make it $20, not $10...

He's saying that adding $5 and rounding to the nearest ten is same as rounding to the next ten. So 6+5 = 11 rounds to 10. 6 rounded up to the net is 10.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#32
post #28
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Use an ad blocker and they will rarely show up. When I stop, Waze shows me what people reported on the road ahead. "Car stopped in 3 miles."

Ad blocker on a mobile device?

Hosts list. Doesn't work as well on mobile. Unsure how Waze does their ads, but on mobile you get a white box with "Couldn't load!" or something of that sort instead of no ad at all.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#33
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ad blocker on a mobile device?

I use AdAway - https://f-droid.org/packages/org.adaway/ on my Android phone. Downloads lists of advertising hostnames and blocks them via /etc/hosts. It's licensed under GPL-3.0. Requires you to have rooted your phone.

Another option for Android users (that doesn't require root) is Blokada -https://f-droid.org/packages/org.blokada.alarm/

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#34
post #13

I'd prefer if drivers watched the road and not pop up ads on Waze.

The ads only show up when the car isn't moving, such as when it's stopped at an intersection.

I hate this. Focusing on the road, even when at an intersection is still the duty of the driver. You have to be active and engaged the entire time you are behind the wheel, not use red lights as an excuse to type out a quick text. I can't tell you how many times I had to honk the horn because a damned distracted driver had their heads down at a green light. This is unsafe as well. Additionally, what if a drunk driver plows through the intersection and comes at you head on? Instead of any chance of reacting + surviving, you are dead. What if an ambulance comes, and you are blocking the left turn lane and you didn't notice because you were too busy looking at a phone or app?

As an aside -- we have 100% proven we simply cannot be trusted with smartphones or electronics behind the wheel. I know most will think this is too extreme but I am all for outright banning them from being in the hands of a driver at. all.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#35
post #12

I'd prefer if drivers watched the road and not pop up ads on Waze.

How long until Waze collaborates with Waymo (Wazemo?) and the ads are just for the captive passengers, not the driver?

Portable VR headsets are going to have a killer app. Not having to pay attention to self-driving car ads.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the ads only pop up when the car is stopped?

Drivers should be paying attention to their immediate surroundings while stopped. Especially because the signals may change, or they may need to move for emergencies services or to evade a careening car heading their way.

And also to not incite road rage from their fellow drivers because they are sitting stopped at a green light. You could also cause a fender bender because other drivers, who also may be distracted slightly, are expecting the cars to move and then are startled when they look away for a brief second because the car in front of them had to brake for the car stopped at a green light. Some states hand out tickets for being braked at a green light.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#37

Does anyone else open Waze only momentarily to make sure their primary route does not have significant traffic? I don't need it to direct me the entire drive, so I just quickly check to make sure there isn't some catastrophic accident that will block my path. After that I shut it down, put on a podcast, and go on my merry way.

I did do that for sometime but I found that my commute has gotten worse with more accidents and constructions so I'm finding that almost 40% of the time my commute changes with Waze with new routes saving me tons of time in traffic. Plus it allows me to explore the country side more as a side-effect.

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#39

I'd prefer if drivers watched the road and not pop up ads on Waze.

Waze ads are an area where I feel an audio ad would be a better approach.

I think if Waze did audio, they'd cause more accidents - usually I have Audible or Music running at the same time if I'm using Waze.

Perhaps that's why they're partnering with Spotify (well other than you can't run Waze on Carplay)?

Re: Waze officially launches its ad program for small businesses

#40
post #13

I'd prefer if drivers watched the road and not pop up ads on Waze.

The ads only show up when the car isn't moving, such as when it's stopped at an intersection.

My wife refuses to use Waze due to the ads. I prefer Waze b/c I'm in motion almost my entire commute (95% freeway).
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