Waze, an Israel-based mobile-apps start-up has issued a new free release of its iOS version of its app to let drivers report traffic conditions while still staying focused on the road. The app makes use of the iPhone’s proximity detector to activate voice recognition by waving a hand. It then asks a series of questions which helps the driver create and send a traffic report.
The Waze app builds upon its basic GPS and direction giving technology. It also helps crowdsource traffic information to advise drivers of local traffic conditions, accidents, speed traps or other road hazards.
Waze does have a version of the app for Android devices and is beta testing a BlackBerry version as well. These current releases require manual input for the information. In the US, in addition to relying on crowdsourced knowledge, the company has partnered with local TV stations to provide users with up to date traffic information.
