Google is updating the popular Waze navigation app with new features that include updates powered by Gemini.
With personalized navigation, Waze will now suggest routes based on your previous trips, in addition to its hyperlocal understanding of a city’s traffic patterns. If you prefer driving on highways over local streets with multiple stops, for example, you’ll see those suggested first.
Anyone who uses Waze knows that it can get quite chatty, delivering audible notifications more often than you need them. Think “turn left in one kilometre, “turn left in 800 metres,” “turn left in 500 metres,” and so on. This is useful if you need such detailed guidance. But if you don’t, it can constantly interrupt your music and podcasts as the audio lowers to make room for these navigation announcements. Now, you can choose a “Less Chatty” mode to minimize the number of voice prompts and keeps them short so you can focus on your audio. Drivers will still get critical reminders about hazards, turns, and lane changes, but less frequently.
With Conversational Reporting, Gemini capabilities help you report traffic incidents like slowdowns just by talking naturally. You can also use it to suggest map updates, like a road closure or an outdated address. These are sent to local map editors to verify and update.
You can also use Gemini to help find your destination by tapping the search voice icon to ask natural questions like “Find me a coffee shop that’s open right now” or “Find me a gas station nearby with the lowest prices,” then confirm where you want to go using your voice. This feature is rolling out now to the Waze beta community globally on Android and iOS.
For motorcycle riders, you can leverage Motorcycle Mode, which uses AI to incorporate two-wheeler shortcuts and restrictions to help riders find the best routes and accurate ETAs. It highlights tricky hazards like potholes, speed bumps, raised crosswalks, shoulder endings, and narrow bridges. It’s rolling out now in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines on Android and iOS, with more countries on the way.