Waze on iOS Kills Buggy Google Assistant for 'Conversational Reporting'

[MacRumors]

Waze is removing Google Assistant support from its iOS app after more than a year of buggy behavior and functionality issues, and will replace it with a new Gemini-based "Conversational Reporting" feature that aims to make hands-free navigation safer and more intuitive.

As reported by Tech-Issues Today, the Google-owned navigation app has acknowledged that iOS users have experienced significant problems with Google Assistant integration, which has led to the decision to nix the feature rather than continue attempts to fix it. However, for Waze users on Android, where issues haven't cropped up, Google Assistant will remain in place.

The new Conversational Reporting system, currently in beta testing with select users, allows drivers to report road hazards and traffic conditions using natural language. Instead of memorizing specific command phrases, users can speak normally with statements like "There's a crash up ahead," and the app will understand and process the information.

If more details are needed, the system can engage in a dialogue, asking follow-up questions like "Can you tell me more about the crash?" The conversational approach aims to keep driver distraction to a minimum while maximizing the usefulness of community-reported information.

The transition is already underway – Google Assistant is being phased out of the iOS app immediately. While Waze hasn't announced a specific release date for the Gemini-powered replacement, it's expected to launch widely after the beta testing period concludes.

The switch follows a number of recently introduced new Waze features, such as school zone alerts to warn drivers to reduce speed near educational institutions.

Article Link: Waze on iOS Kills Buggy Google Assistant for 'Conversational Reporting'

 

[nfl46]

I commend him. A NYC cab driver for 18 years. I want to hear the stories. Lol.

 

[jarman92]

Every time I see this app I'm amazed that anyone uses it...it's sooooooooooo ugly.

 

[vertsix]

Google and killing something. Name a more iconic duo.

 

[Jay Tee]

Every time I see this app I'm amazed that anyone uses it...it's sooooooooooo ugly.

Beats Apple Maps outside the US. If you’re on the expressway and Waze tells you to exit early, do it!

 

[chrono1081]

Did…did they use Gemini? It’s horrid. Siri is better than Gemini. Literally not figuratively.

 

[matsan]

If they could fix that God-awful dictation prompt sound I'd be much happier user!

 

[marklcfc]

New Kate is an abomination, makes me angry every day now

 

[steve09090]

Beats Apple Maps outside the US. If you’re on the expressway and Waze tells you to exit early, do it!

A gross generalisation without foundation. Your experience is not my experience.

 

[jarman92]

Beats Apple Maps outside the US. If you’re on the expressway and Waze tells you to exit early, do it!

Maybe, but it certainly doesn't beat Google Maps and is roughly 10x uglier and more cluttered.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

However, for Waze users on Android, where issues haven't cropped up, Google Assistant will remain in place.

FOR NOW.

Eventually Gemini will replace Google Assistant on Waze for Android. In facts it’ll have deeper integration on OS level as well.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Maybe, but it certainly doesn't beat Google Maps and is roughly 10x uglier and more cluttered.

For routing around traffic issues, it beats Google and Apple by several miles... and it lets me avoid left-hand turns through intersections, which no other mapping app does.

 

[HighwaySnowman]

Beats Apple Maps outside the US. If you’re on the expressway and Waze tells you to exit early, do it!

Beats Apple Maps inside the US. And tells you where the cops are hiding.

 

[rp100]

Google Maps has better overall experience. However, I have personally experienced Waze re-routing that detected a traffic jam, had me exit on some random road in West Virginia, drive 20 minutes down the road, and ultimately detour around a backup that was miles long. The traffic jam was not there when I started - it did this dynamically while I was driving down the interstate.

Google Maps does this to some extent, but not as ambitiously as Waze.

Also, let’s be honest: you’re using Waze for the police reporting and camera warnings.

 

[rodpascoe]

Those saying that Waze is inferior to Apple & Google Maps have clearly never used Waze for any length of time.

Waze is simply head and shoulders above any other mapping app for driving. The road alerts, speed trap warnings, etc are invaluable.

 

[HighwaySnowman]

Also, let’s be honest: you’re using Waze for the police reporting and camera warnings.

Yes. Yes I am.

That's a FAR more important feature for me than anything else it offers. But I also like the fact that if there's a map problem, I can fix it with Waze, I don't have to rely on the incompetent fools at Apple or Google to fix it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Google Maps has better overall experience. However, I have personally experienced Waze re-routing that detected a traffic jam, had me exit on some random road in West Virginia, drive 20 minutes down the road, and ultimately detour around a backup that was miles long. The traffic jam was not there when I started - it did this dynamically while I was driving down the interstate.

Google Maps does this to some extent, but not as ambitiously as Waze.

Also, let’s be honest: you’re using Waze for the police reporting and camera warnings.

Google and Apple both do police reporting as well (Google and Waze share their reports), and we don't have traffic cameras in my state. I don't speed so I don't care; I use it for traffic issues.

All that said, I don't even use GPS for most day-to-day drives, unless something comes up or I'm going somewhere unknown. Usually have Spotify open on CarPlay, and map app(s) unopened.

 

[gaximus]

I need to be able to report something that I have already passed. Most the time when there is a "thing" that I need to report, I need to be focused on driving. Not reaching for my phone and trying to push a button before I pass it.

 

[HighwaySnowman]

Maybe, but it certainly doesn't beat Google Maps and is roughly 10x uglier and more cluttered.

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I WANT my mapping app to have detail. "Uncluttered" is the opposite of useful.

And a mapping app that can have map errors fixed by users is inherently better than Google Maps.

 

[orbital~debris]

Article Link: Waze on iOS Kills Buggy Google Assistant for 'Conversational Reporting'

Headline reads as though Google Assistant was 'killed' (dropped/cancelled) because it was reporting people's conversations to a third party… 🗣️👂🏻

 

[dasmb]

Every time I see this app I'm amazed that anyone uses it...it's sooooooooooo ugly.

In the NYC metro at least, Waze remains the best option for routing around traffic and incidents using all the options available. Apple Maps is really miserable at this and Google Maps seems to prefer highways. Waze will have me bivouacking through downtown Newark if it'll shave 5 minutes off the drive, and that is 100% why I use a realtime directions app.

Waze also used to have an amazing feature that would predict how long a traffic jam was likely to continue. This made jams easier to live with and also gave you a hint whether you might be better off trying a truly alternate route. Honestly I haven't been in bad traffic for a while so I'm not sure if this is still available, but it made sitting in Jersey Shore traffic less frustrating.

I think it looks fine, but who gives a flip how it looks -- you should be looking at the road!

 

[MNWildFan]

I need to be able to report something that I have already passed. Most the time when there is a "thing" that I need to report, I need to be focused on driving. Not reaching for my phone and trying to push a button before I pass it.

Yeah, that right there is why looking a good bit ahead and being able to notice that is an important skill to have

Because of that, when I do use Waze and want to report something, if I see something further ahead of me, I'll tap the reporting button in anticipation of that and then hit the report type the moment I arrive to said thing

 

[MNWildFan]

I honestly even forgot this was a thing

Then again though, I have CarPlay

I never even used that because my muscle memory to just simply tap what I need to when I need to when reporting traffic conditions/incidents/etc has just become so engrained in me

I can only imagine that once they get Gemini integration into the app, something like this will emerge from the woodwork once again so to speak

 

[jarman92]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I WANT my mapping app to have detail. "Uncluttered" is the opposite of useful.

And a mapping app that can have map errors fixed by users is inherently better than Google Maps.

Users can correct errors in both Google and Apple Maps.

 

[Iphtashu Fitz]

Beats Apple Maps outside the US. If you’re on the expressway and Waze tells you to exit early, do it!

I'd argue you should do that in the US as well. I commuted for over a year along a stretch of highway where an overpass was being replaced. Pretty much every time I forgot to follow route suggestions from Waze I got stuck in huge traffic jams caused by that construction.