Build Traffic Community with Waze iPhone App
8/09/2009 10:22:00 PM - 0 comments
As The Waze app was already very popular in Android, and has finally made its debut in the
Besides providing iPhone users with real time maps and traffic information, the Waze application is also equipped to offer turn-by-turn navigation and rerouting options as conditions on the road change. Moreover, users may also send out tweets based on reports they make while driving.
Waze iPhone App – Building community
A very interesting aspect of Waze iPhone app is that it is a crowd-sourced traffic sharing application with an entirely functional turn-by-turn navigation system. It also plays a vital role in building a driving community for an area. It has great features and an exceptional design and the best part of the app is that, it can be your ‘genie’ when you are caught in a rough patch of traffic - helping you with information on an alternate route, thus facilitating a quick drive back to your destination.
Moreover, as a Waze user you can feel comfortable as you can stay connected with other drivers on the way - informing each other about what's happening on the road in real time and also keeping abreast of what's coming up ahead. The application also helps you track the location of other driver’s nearby who is also running Waze as you can see them popping up on the map.
Waze iPhone App - Features
Almost real-time. Waze is designed to offer drivers real-time information about the roads they commute on, generally with no more than a 30-second delay. The developers of the app insist that for best results and to have real utility, the app will require a critical mass of users; because, as of now only about 5 to 6 users are found popping out in the Waze iPhone app in a 30 minute driving time.
Analyzing traffic speed. The Waze app constantly shows and makes you aware of the speed of traffic (on the roads) in the locality you are driving. This service is possible courtesy GPS as it reports back your movements.
Anonymity ensured. Waze is committed towards upholding user privacy and is making sure by constantly upgrading, to ensure that complete anonymity of all users is respected. This feature is mainly to prevent users from being discouraged as they are sending out information about the location of speed traps and speed cams, or warnings about the position of police, etc.
Earn Points. Waze also offers an opportunity for users to be the first to drive along unconfirmed roads and earn points for being the first to confirm them. There are several roads in the Waze’s map provided by the U.S government, which are displayed as "unconfirmed" and are depicted by lines of small, gray dots. So, if you are the first to create a new road (one that is not depicted on the map), your action will be promptly rewarded with a solid red line on the map as you drive.
Local map administration. You as an active Waze app user can be valuable member of the local map administration. The major criterion required to serve as local area managers is done by collect points as you drive around by being the first to confirm roads.
Waze’s ultimate Business plan
If you are wondering what business plan Waze has up in its mind for earning revenue through this wonderful application, while it is giving it away for FREE at the Apple App Store; hang on. Waze is optimistic about its goal of reaching out to a maximum number of people, so as to ensure a steady flow of new road data to add to the Waze database. Now, what the company plans to do is, license that raw data to other companies at their discretion, and in the process get hold of as much of what it thinks is a $4 billion market.
The only notable flaw in the Waze business plan is the iPhone app’s dependency on the AT&T's network. This dependency according to Waze, is meant to provide access to the Internet. Not only that, the service is also profoundly dependent on connectivity over that network.
Posted: Seuli.B
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