Waze has long lived in Google Maps' shadow, but a new Engadget feature roundup argues that Google's crowdsourced navigation app has several buried tools worth knowing. These include contact-based navigation, custom voice recording, and trip planning features that go beyond simple turn-by-turn directions. For a business audience, the details suggest Waze is quietly trying to differentiate itself in a market where Google Maps is the default for most drivers.
One standout feature is the ability to search for a friend or family member's saved address directly by name, after granting contact access. Engadget notes that privacy-conscious users can revoke that permission on both iPhone and Android. Another differentiator is voice customization: Waze can record 39 navigation prompts in the user's own voice, and offers preset voice packs, mood avatars, and sidekick characters for the map interface.
The article also highlights Waze's "Plan a drive" feature, which recommends departure times based on expected traffic and can sync with a connected calendar. Less visible are search-bar codes such as "##@morph" for a monster avatar and "##@cctts" to clear the text-to-speech cache. These features may not reshape the navigation market, but they show how Waze is leaning into personalization and user control as a way to stay relevant under Google's ownership.