Tag: Waze

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Home was 2022’s most trafficked destination on Waze

Navigation app Waze is ready to get Canadians in the holiday spirit.

Starting today, users can select Santa or Mrs. Claus as they navigate through the holiday season. Drivers will have Santa’s signature sleigh as their vehicle if they make the selection.

2022 trends

With 2022 coming to an end, the company also reports the most popular destinations for Canadians over the year.

Drivers picked ‘home’ most often, making it the most trafficked destination in 2022. School, food and drink, restaurant, and shopping centre make the top five.

This is a change from 2021, which saw home, restaurants, and parks represent the top three destinations.

‘Office’ was ranked 32 on the list, despite a major increase in commuting in October 2022 compared to January, as people returned to the office. For example, the figure increased by 263 percent in Quebec City.

“Traffic has been very different over the last few years, and this look back at 2022 has offered some interesting insights into Canadian driving patterns and trends,” Mike Wilson, the company’s Canada Country Manager, said.

Waze further reports the most kilometres were driven in August and the least in January.

Navigation in select cities also shot up around the same time. For example, navigation to Niagara Falls increased by 94 percent in August 2022 compared to July.

“Overall, we’re seeing more people on the roads this year – whether it was to head to the office, or to shopping and dining destinations — and we expect traffic to continue to shift and change as we head into 2023,” Wilson said. 

Waze is available on iOS and Android.

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Mobile Syrup

Waze announces new Retro Mode driving experience, inspired by the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s

Waze is tapping into bygone eras and bringing Retro Mode to drivers. This nostalgic experience draws inspiration from the groovy ‘70s, fluorescent ‘80s, and of course the booming ‘90s.

Waze describes Retro Mode as a celebration of “personalities and trends from the years.” Waze has steeped it in many of the more recognizable aspects of each decade. Many of which still impact pop culture to this day.

As a result, Waze users can now select one of three unique driving experiences via Retro Mode. With Retro Mode’s ‘70s selection, an eclectic radio DJ joins the driver as the navigator. Your on-screen vehicle becomes a flower-power “El Vanarino.” Finally, the Mood features a lava lamp.

Over to the ’80s, Waze users find an aerobics instructor as their guide. Here, drivers see their vehicle turn into a “Rad Racer sports car” with a boombox Mood. This all ties together nicely to create an ‘80s-inspired vibe.

Finally, Retro Mode’s ’90s theme, the navigator is set to a pop star. Appropriately, the on-screen vehicle transforms into a classic two-door “SUV4EVA.” To top it all off, the Mood is set to “Dialed Up” and features a desktop PC. The Mood gives me stark flashbacks to the awful sounds endured when connecting to the internet.

To compliment Retro Mode, TuneIn is partnering with Waze to deliver ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s songs directly from the Waze app. On iOS and Android, users can access nostalgic tracks on their drives. In Canada and the US, users gain access to ‘90s Hits. In the UK, stations include Hit Music 70’s. Finally, France receives 80’s Alive.

Waze users can click ‘My Waze’ in the app to start the experience. Once tapping selecting the desired era, the experience begins. Retro Mode is available globally. Currently, the Waze Retro Mode supports English, French, and Portuguese languages.

Source: Waze

Image credit: Waze

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Mobile Syrup

For a limited time, get directions by Christina Aguilera on Waze

To celebrate Women’s History Month in the United States (October in Canada), Waze is adding American singer Christina Aguilera, a long-time girl-power advocate as an experience in the navigation app.

You can set Aguilera’s voice as the chief direction-giver in the app, and as an extra, she will also drop words of wisdom and advice she’s learned along the way in English and Spanish.

“International Women’s Day is a significant reminder that we are still fighting against gender bias and stereotypes,” Christina says in the Waze release. “Partnering with Waze has allowed me to unify my voice with a community of people who care about helping one another.”

To take advantage of the full Xtina experience, you can choose one of the four new moods, which include ‘Magical,’ ‘Feisty,’ ‘Sweet,’ or ‘Strong’ and set your vehicle icon as a ‘Dirrty Bike’ or a ‘Pinkup Truck.’

You can enable the new experience by navigating to the ‘My Waze’ section of Waze’s settings and clicking on the “Drive with Christina Aguilera” banner. Alternatively, you can enable the setting by opening this link directly from your mobile.

The Xtina experience on Waze launched March 1st and is available for a limited time only.

Image credit: Waze

Source: Waze

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Mobile Syrup

Ride in style with Waze’s new Halo-inspired Razorback and Brute Chopper

Back in August, Waze users were greeted by a quality update that allowed you to set Halo’s Master Chief or Escharum as the navigation app’s voice and ride in style with the in-app Warthog or a Ghost.

Now, what is most likely a result of yesterday’s Halo Infinite multiplayer mode release and the broader 20th anniversary of the franchise, the Google subsidiary is adding new Halo-inspired Moods and vehicles to its navigation app for a limited time.

Waze users can choose between Laurette Agryna or Jega ‘Rdomnai Moods and ride in all-new vehicle icons, including a Razorback or a Brute Chopper.

It’s unclear how long the feature will be available, but you can enable it by navigating to the ‘My Waze’ section of Waze’s settings or by opening this link directly from your mobile.

Source: Waze

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Mobile Syrup

F*ck off, road rage! Waze adds new Headspace meditation theme to traffic app

To celebrate World Mental Health Day, Waze is partnering with Headspace to introduce a few soothing new features to the Google-owned traffic navigation app.

The limited-time theme is available starting today, October 12th, in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.

By activating the “Drive with Headspace” theme, drivers will receive voice directions and tips from mindfulness coach Eve Prieto, who works as Headspace’s Director of Mediation.

Drivers can also cruise along while listening to a Headspace-curated Spotify playlist and change how they appear on the map to others by selecting from five special-edition ‘Moods’: Aware, Bright, Hopeful, Joyful, and Open.

Finally, and most importantly, the new Headspace theme lets you swap your in-app car icon for a cute little hot air balloon.

Waze loves adding niche limited-time custom themes to its app.

Past special editions have covered an eclectic range of themes, including cats and dogs, Pride Month, Santa and Rudolph, Batman, and Halo’s Master Chief.