It’s been a long time coming but there’s finally an alternative to Google Maps and the built-in navigation on Android Auto.
Waze has now launched for the platform, bringing the navigation app to full-screen dashboard displays in Android Auto-enabled cars.
All you need to do to get Waze working in your car is to set your home address on the app and hook your Android phone up to the USB port.
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The app you’ll get on-screen is slightly less capable than the mobile version (‘map chat’ is understandably missing from the in-car app), but it has been fine-tuned specifically for Android Auto.
That means you’ll get a UI that’s been tailored for Google’s car OS, and a few redesigned features such as a button that lets you quickly report traffic or police presence.
And as with the standard mobile app, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that Waze’s community-focused system brings.
That includes the following features, as laid out by Waze in a statement:
- Navigate to all your most frequented destinations as pre-programmed in your Waze app in one tap—we’re talking home, work and your Waze favourites.
- Start any drive using voice command “OK, Google” to tell Waze your destination and get on the road even quicker.
- Receive visual and audio alerts to keep you informed of what’s ahead and find the fastest routes.
- Bonus: you’ll enjoy a larger map with bigger views of alerts, hazers and more.
- Access your personalised Waze experience from your phone on your car’s bigger screen.
- Easily view your ETA Panel, which organises everything you need in one place so you can seamlessly check alternate routes and adjust your sound settings.
- Help other Wazers on the road through a visual reporting menu.
Once you hook your phone up to your Android Auto car, you can activate Waze by tapping “Navigation App” at the bottom of the dashboard display.
Waze will start if it’s the last used navigation app, otherwise tap the navigation Menu in the bottom left and select Waze.
You can also use voice commands by saying “OK Google, drive to [address],” (or “Home” or “Work”) or by tapping the on-screen microphone button and saying an address.
The new version of Waze with Android Auto support is available now over on the Google Play Store.
Let us know what you think of the new app by tweeting us @trustedreviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
