Waze for iOS gets hands-free traffic reporting
updated 07:00 pm EST, Thu February 9, 2012
Hand wave starts voice recognition reportting
Waze, an Israel-based mobile-apps start-up has issued a new release of its iOS version of its app to let drivers report traffic conditions while still staying focused on the road (free, App Store). 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. [via The Verge]
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