GPS app?

[Thus Spake Mainer]

Is there a better GPS app than Google? Today Show had something on this morning about another GPS app that is very good but I didn't catch the name. Does anyone know?

 

[Maverick0]

Waze

 

[udsig91]

Waze is another popular GPS app. I actually used it in Costa Rica and was with a friend in FL who used it. It worked well both times.

 

[MtNittany]

Waze is better w/ traffic and accidents, but it is also a very intrusive app.

 

[sss]

Waze is way better then google. It uses the data from all of its users to give real time info. I have found it to be incredibly accurate and if it tells you to take an alternate route, I have learned to heed it. It will keep you out of as many traffic jams as possible. As a bonus it is pretty good at alerting you to speed traps.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Waze is way better then google. It uses the data from all of its users to give real time info. I have found it to be incredibly accurate and if it tells you to take an alternate route, I have learned to heed it. It will keep you out of as many traffic jams as possible. As a bonus it is pretty good at alerting you to speed traps.

Pretty sure Waze uses the Google map platform and builds on it. I use it too, but sometimes question it's recommended routes. In DC, it doesn't account for HOV times/lanes, but overall, it's very good (and I prefer it to Google Maps).

 

[Thus Spake Mainer]

Waze is better w/ traffic and accidents, but it is also a very intrusive app.

What does 'very intrusive' for an app mean?

 

[MtNittany]

What does 'very intrusive' for an app mean?

Obviously location needs to be turned on, but Waze also turns on the microphone, collects phone numbers from your contacts, and any other number of privacy no no's. They are an advertising app disguised as a traffic/gps app. Use it to find a Home Depot, and you'll start seeing Home Depot placement ads in your browser. It also sucks data and battery power like no other app.

 

[tboyer]

What does 'very intrusive' for an app mean?

It has lots of little extra voice alerts -- ie possible speed trap coming up kind of thing. I think you can customize them in settings though.

One of the coolest things about waze is that it integrates messages from users.

So if you're in a giant traffic backup, you can actually read what people are posting in the front of the jam -- ie. progress reports on clearing an accident. Info you wouldn't get in any other way.

 

[sss]

Pretty sure Waze uses the Google map platform and builds on it. I use it too, but sometimes question it's recommended routes. In DC, it doesn't account for HOV times/lanes, but overall, it's very good (and I prefer it to Google Maps).

I too used to question its routes, until I ignored them and sat in traffic jams, including on the way up to PSU games.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

If you have an iphone, Maps is better then Google imo.
Waze used so much battery that I deleted it a year or so ago. Maybe it is better now.

 

[RJK]

If you have an iphone, Maps is better then Google imo.
Waze used so much battery that I deleted it a year or so ago. Maybe it is better now.

Pretty sure Waze uses the Google map platform and builds on it. I use it too, but sometimes question it's recommended routes. In DC, it doesn't account for HOV times/lanes, but overall, it's very good (and I prefer it to Google Maps).

Pretty sure that Google owns Waze.

 

[Frabjous]

Obviously location needs to be turned on, but Waze also turns on the microphone, collects phone numbers from your contacts, and any other number of privacy no no's. They are an advertising app disguised as a traffic/gps app. Use it to find a Home Depot, and you'll start seeing Home Depot placement ads in your browser. It also sucks data and battery power like no other app.

Thanks for the info. Spyware in disguise, ugh.

 

[BBrown]

Obviously location needs to be turned on, but Waze also turns on the microphone, collects phone numbers from your contacts, and any other number of privacy no no's. They are an advertising app disguised as a traffic/gps app. Use it to find a Home Depot, and you'll start seeing Home Depot placement ads in your browser. It also sucks data and battery power like no other app.

Thanks for the info I think I"ll pass on Waze.
I prefer Maps to Google but thats just me.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Thanks for the info. Spyware in disguise, ugh.

Not any different than any other app or software running on any of your other devices. It does have ads, but they're mostly generated by location - not preference.

But, live off the grid if you like.

 

[JBDLion]

Waze was good even before Google bought it. They share a lot of data now and you'll see in Google Maps that certain incidents were reported through Waze. I like Waze for long trips where I want to see speed limits and cops. For general navigation, I prefer the Google Maps user interface.

Most of those complaining about Waze's app permissions probably have Facebook installed which is even worse.

 

[PennState_one]

Is there a better GPS app than Google? Today Show had something on this morning about another GPS app that is very good but I didn't catch the name. Does anyone know?

Nah, I've done alot of research and you can't beat google maps. It has saved me numerous times and it's getting improved on a regular basis.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

If you have an iphone, Maps is better then Google imo.
Waze used so much battery that I deleted it a year or so ago. Maybe it is better now.

Dear god no. Maps is absolutely dreadful.

Google does own Waze--bought them a few years ago.

As for privacy concerns, unless you're a paranoid sucker for ads there's nothing to be concerned with. If you're concerned about privacy in Google or Waze you might as well get a dumb phone and separate Garmin because virtually every app in the universe is made as an ad delivery vehicle.