Google Maps and Waze Updated With New iPhone and CarPlay Features

[MacRumors]

Google has announced new Waze and Google Maps features rolling out for iPhone and CarPlay users that aim to keep them safer and more informed on the go.

First up, changes to Maps aim to make it easier to report incidents and helpful information, like nearby construction, lane closures, objects and police presence. These reports come from the Maps and Waze communities, and users will now see which app a report came from. There are larger reporting icons that are designed to be easier to tap for quickly sharing updates, and other drivers can also confirm the incident with a quick tap.

Meanwhile, Google Maps gains new destination guidance to make it less confusing when users don't know where to enter or park when they arrive somewhere, especially if it's nighttime. When driving to a place, Maps' new destination guidance will automatically light up your building and its entrance as you approach it, in addition to showing you nearby parking lots.

Over on Waze, Google is adding the ability to see new camera types that enforce things like speed limits and carpool lanes. For example, drivers now see an alert if they're approaching a camera that snaps pictures for things like speeding, running a red light, using the wrong lane (like bus, HOV or carpool), not wearing a seatbelt, or using phones while driving.

In addition, Waze is getting a new traffic events feature, which is meant to give users a better understanding of how things like parades, concerts, and sporting events are impacting nearby traffic. If a driver recently went through an impacted area or has places saved near the area in Waze, they will now get a notification once the event has started. This will include details like the cause of the event, if there are road closures and real-time traffic conditions. To help your friends and family, these details are also easily shareable, allowing others to be more prepared for their own ride.

Lastly, Waze drivers will soon get navigation guidance like turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates while their phone is locked. Google says Lock Screen navigation for Waze is coming to iOS this fall, while the other updates to Google Maps and Waze are rolling out globally now on Android and iOS, cars with Google built-in, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Article Link: Google Maps and Waze Updated With New iPhone and CarPlay Features

 

[Justin Cymbal]

That’s awesome!

Most of the time I use Apple Maps because Apple has greatly improved their map application since they launched it over a decade ago

Apple seems to integrate Maps into the rest of their applications much more seamlessly than Google (or any other company) has the ability to and for that reason, I tend to use Apple Maps over Google maps, Waze etc.

However, Google and Waze making improvements to their maps applications will indirectly benefit users of Apple Maps as competition will entice Apple to innovate more to better compete with Google and other companies

 

[n-evo]

I thought Google was supposedly switching their apps over to a native iOS look-‘n’-feel years ago. It’s a shame that hasn’t materialized.

 

[trainwrecka]

I finally switched to Apple Maps. I’ve tried a few times with horrible results, but the 2024 version has been great. The farther I can get away from Google, the better.

 

[cfountain72]

Apple Maps is a beautiful app, especially when you're in the right cities. But year after year, I keep returning to Waze. Its simple layout and interface is what you need when you're driving, not necessarily being able to count how many trees there are or the shape a golf green. Plus, in my experience, it does a better of job of trying to reroute me around real-time traffic issues than Apple Maps.

 

[nereus01]

I would really appreciate if they integrate HUD navigation signs. Apple maps can show me navigation arrows via Heads Up Display in my SKODA (VW group car for US folks) but Waze nor Google maps does not. It does bother me more than it should.

EDIT: just found out that Apple is not sharing the API yet - more info here https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/740100

 

[Kylo83]

Waze needs walking mode and updated CarPlay where it doesn’t cover things

 

[JosephAW]

Someday google will end support for Waze and tell everyone to move over to the google maps app. Hopefully by then Apple Maps will be as good as Waze app is now with all its features. Surprised they haven’t done away with it already, why maintain two map apps.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Used Apple Maps (with Carplay) for all our Navigation for our holiday this year. Guiding our rental car from Gatwick out to Cornwall, and back via the Cotswolds.

It was very good and reliable, except for the very end: When we tried getting from the Gas station (at Gatwick) and to the delivery area, Apple Maps - for some reason - refused to reroute, and then didn't want to make a new route, either.

So after ~1000 miles with Apple Maps, we needed Google Maps for - literally - the final mile.

 

[ignatius345]

Meanwhile, Google Maps gains new destination guidance to make it less confusing when users don't know where to enter or park when they arrive somewhere, especially if it's nighttime. When driving to a place, Maps' new destination guidance will automatically light up your building and its entrance as you approach it, in addition to showing you nearby parking lots.

As much as I generally like Apple Maps, it really drops the ball on the 1-yard line, so to speak. So frequently I'm guided seamlessly and accurately right to where I'm going... but Apple Maps has no idea where the actual door is, or the entrance to the parking lot.

 

[gsmornot]

I wish this article was about Apple Maps. It's my preference generally but until it incorporates the alerts in Waze, I will be using Waze for interstate driving. It's helpful around town too. I am aware that Apple has added some ability for alerts but you have to be navigating to get them. With Waze, you only need the app open.

 

[Godspeed8230]

The parking lot function in Waze/Google Maps is such a great feature - extremely useful, especially if you travel abroad or in a foreign city.

 

[Mauro42K]

In my case that I use a highway daily, Waze online information is the best option, although Map Apple integrates much better with the Apple Car of my electric car (battery consumption, indications on the speedometer, etc). Sometimes I end up using Map Apple and Waze in the background in case there are any police checkpoints or traffic problems.

Although I made the mistake of using the Beta version of iOS 18 and gave me many problems Waze, freezes, sometimes closes and from there stops responding to the functions on the screen .... I have another phone with iOS 17 and works without problems.

 

[jarman92]

How does anyone still use Waze? The data is essentially identical to Google Maps but the ETAs are worse, the routes are ridiculous, and the UI is just atrocious.

 

[omiks]

I use mostly Apple Maps because it has been working wonderfully in the US. But I might go back to Google for a while until Apple updates their app again (in 10 years or so)

Sadly Google doesn't support overhead display...

 

[magbarn]

Love Waze. Has saved me thousands of dollars in tickets. It's why I will continue to avoid every car that doesn't allow CarPlay as an option.

 

[bluespark]

I would really appreciate if they integrate HUD navigation signs. Apple maps can show me navigation arrows via Heads Up Display in my SKODA (VW group car for US folks) but Waze nor Google maps does not. It does bother me more than it should.

EDIT: just found out that Apple is not sharing the API yet - more info here https://forums.developer.apple.com/forums/thread/740100

Same with my 2019 BMW. Apple Maps has always integrated into my two additional displays (driver's cockpit display and the heads-up display). Other maps available in CarPlay do not. I'd like to see Apple fix that, and I'd also like for more car manufacturers to take advantage of CarPlay's ability to do this, which has existed for years.

 

[slomtbr]

Responding to Apple Maps commenters…
I know I'm in the minority, but Apple Maps in CarPlay displays far too little contrast for it to be useable.

 

[SVTmaniac]

I want to use Apple Maps but one annoying thing keeps me from using it. I’m sure it’s a simple fix but I have t figured it out yet. Every single time I get in my vehicle CarPlay wants me to navigate to work or to home. I don’t want it to automatically try to navigate me anywhere. I just want it to show me the map or where I am and if I want to navigate somewhere I’ll tell it. Such an annoying feature.

 

[GDF]

How does anyone still use Waze? The data is essentially identical to Google Maps but the ETAs are worse, the routes are ridiculous, and the UI is just atrocious.

Why? Because it crushes everything other map app with their Alerts. I never get any odd routes with Waze. Same routes I get on my Tesla that uses google.

Wish Google would just integrate Waze into Google Maps with the same alerts.

 

[slomtbr]

I want to use Apple Maps but one annoying thing keeps me from using it. I’m sure it’s a simple fix but I have t figured it out yet. Every single time I get in my vehicle CarPlay wants me to navigate to work or to home. I don’t want it to automatically try to navigate me anywhere. I just want it to show me the map or where I am and if I want to navigate somewhere I’ll tell it. Such an annoying feature.

Apple Music tells you what you want to hear.
Apple News tells you what you want to know.
Apple Maps tells you where you want to go.

 

[arkitect]

Apple Music tells you what you want to hear.
Apple News tells you what you want to know.
Apple Maps tells you where you want to go.

Well actually, I'd say it is more like:

Apple Music tells you what they think you want to hear.
Apple News tells you what they think you want to know.
Apple Maps tells you where they think you want to go.

/jk

 

[slomtbr]

Well actually, I'd say it is more like:

Apple Music tells you what they think you want to hear.
Apple News tells you what they think you want to know.
Apple Maps tells you where they think you want to go.

/jk

IME, Apple has been extremely confident with their recommendations. No /jk

 

[one more]

I want to use Apple Maps but one annoying thing keeps me from using it. I’m sure it’s a simple fix but I have t figured it out yet. Every single time I get in my vehicle CarPlay wants me to navigate to work or to home. I don’t want it to automatically try to navigate me anywhere. I just want it to show me the map or where I am and if I want to navigate somewhere I’ll tell it. Such an annoying feature.

This is actually Siri suggestions messing with you. So you can disable it by going to Settings > Siri > Apps > Maps and turning everything off there. From then on you will be a free rider! 😉

 

[oxfordrunner]

How does anyone still use Waze? The data is essentially identical to Google Maps but the ETAs are worse, the routes are ridiculous, and the UI is just atrocious.

1. There's a speedometer. 2. Waze ETAs are not based on Google Map's "we assume an average speed" due to driving like 55 mph on interstate trips. So for my commute, I have found that it times everything really well, including red light duration. What it can't do is trains. I find it better for commuting <30 min to work. I only use Google or Apple when I know I will need offline maps.

Waze negatives are it still doesn't show time zone eta's correctly when navigating on long trips across time zones whereas Google does.

On Car Play, the car screen will not show a graphical depiction of alternate routes like on the phone itself, requiring you to select from a textual list.

I know there's a liability issue but honestly the lock down of features "while driving" doesn't stop people, and you can't select that you're a passenger so they let you do everything. It's constantly reminding you to be safe and not type in your destination, and I cannot get the voiceover inputs in Waze to recongize what I am saying.