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Google Maps and Waze

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Re: Google Maps and Waze

#21

Post by joosters »

lawdawg wrote: post #3

Great news for both Google Maps and Waze. From my understanding, Waze negotiated a 3 year period where they would be allowed to continue independently, but I imagine there will be quite a bit of data sharing between the two (Waze can now use Google's maps and POI data, and Google can use Waze's data to improve its realtime directions)

I'll bet you that Waze won't exist as a separate app/product in 3 years. I hope it does, but I doubt that Google are going to maintain two separate navigation apps.

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#22

Post by joosters »

1gn1t10n wrote: post #14

I wonder if providing this kind of information to the public can lead to worse performance (commute time). This reminds me of Braess's Paradox [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braess_paradox

I recommend the excellent book 'Traffic' - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traffic-drive-what-says-about/dp/014... - it covers this pretty well.

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#24

Post by MetaCosm »

lpolovets wrote: post #18

What do others think about the safety of using Waze? One thing that I have noticed is that the app encourages me to interact with it as I'm driving in order to add data to the system. It's a little hypocritical of me to complain about this because sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do, but it still feels weird that Waze actually encourages me to read the screen and interact with…

Sure, might be a bit hypocritical but i get your point. Most of the noise that comes from Waze is when it detects you aren't moving. That said there is the light social encouragement if you see a something (something in road) to put it on the map, or confirm / deny it.

I can personally say the pothole and "thing on the road" warnings might have saved me from damaging my car a few times, maybe even helped me avoid an accident (a mattress was on the highway, yikes).

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#25

Post by yalogin »

This looks more like an acquisition to keep Waze out of the competitors' hands than Google needing it. Sure, having the platform will enhance Google maps and also probably be enhanced to get other POI data as well over time (if they are not already getting them) but Google already spent a lot of money getting that data.

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#26

Post by amalcon »

lpolovets wrote: post #18

What do others think about the safety of using Waze? One thing that I have noticed is that the app encourages me to interact with it as I'm driving in order to add data to the system. It's a little hypocritical of me to complain about this because sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do, but it still feels weird that Waze actually encourages me to read the screen and interact with…

sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do

I don't mean to pick on you here. You are clearly aware, but it still needs to be said:

Please do not email, text, or even talk on a cell phone while driving. Driving is the most dangerous task that is socially acceptable for nonprofessionals to perform. It is very irresponsible to make such a task any more difficult than it needs to be.

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#27

Post by yid »

lpolovets wrote: post #18

What do others think about the safety of using Waze? One thing that I have noticed is that the app encourages me to interact with it as I'm driving in order to add data to the system. It's a little hypocritical of me to complain about this because sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do, but it still feels weird that Waze actually encourages me to read the screen and interact with…

I'd imagine they intend for a passenger to use the app, as for productionized self-driving cars -- I think the obsolescence of Waze is the least interesting thing about that scenario. :)

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#28

Post by SeanKilleen »

lpolovets wrote: post #18

What do others think about the safety of using Waze? One thing that I have noticed is that the app encourages me to interact with it as I'm driving in order to add data to the system. It's a little hypocritical of me to complain about this because sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do, but it still feels weird that Waze actually encourages me to read the screen and interact with…

Waze actually has several features in place to make it safer:

* Waze is designed only to be used by a passenger. Any field that requires typing, etc. warns you if you're moving and makes you acknowledge that you are a passenger to continue.

* Waze has a hands-free capability where you can wave your hand in front of the phone and interact with Waze via voice. It actually works pretty well.

* The UI is designed with big buttons, so even if you choose to interact with Waze regularly, you can usually complete a road road report, etc. very quickly (1-2 seconds).

Regarding its "encouragement". I think alerts and the fact that they're available via audio as well reduces the risk. In the end, it's up the user to configure Waze according to how safe they want to be (which, hopefully is pretty safe).

(I'm a huge fan; I've been using Waze from the beginning. No attachment beyond that though)

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#29

Post by georgemcbay »

MetaCosm wrote: post #24
lpolovets wrote: post #18

What do others think about the safety of using Waze? One thing that I have noticed is that the app encourages me to interact with it as I'm driving in order to add data to the system. It's a little hypocritical of me to complain about this because sometimes I text or check email while driving, which I know I should not do, but it still feels weird that Waze actually encourages me to read the screen and interact with…

Sure, might be a bit hypocritical but i get your point. Most of the noise that comes from Waze is when it detects you aren't moving. That said there is the light social encouragement if you see a something (something in road) to put it on the map, or confirm / deny it. I can personally say the pothole and "thing on the road" warnings might have saved me from damaging my car a few times, maybe even helped me avoid an…

In my experience, Google Nav already does a wonderful job of noticing and routing people around "not moving" without Waze, so I'm not sure what the acquisition is about if not for the feedback channels which I do think are unsafe if not explicitly illegal to actually use in a lot of places unless you are a passenger and not the driver.

But also, I live in Southern California where car passengers are as mythical as unicorns.

Re: Google Maps and Waze

#30

Post by belorn »

I hope that someone will make a OpenStreetMap version of Waze. As a project already based on user generated information, it seems more sensible than sending everything to Google.
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