Waze has a devoted community of users who love its crowdsourced alerts, and a new software update makes it is easier to use. However, the app has a <em>ways</em> to go before it can dethrone the king of GPS navigation apps, Google Maps. Waze 4.0 is now available for iOS, and it is coming soon to Android. The update offers a number of improvements over earlier versions of the popular GPS navigation app. But it’s still not my primary app for driving directions. Here’s why. Where Waze shines The new app interface in Waze 4.0 is streamlined; it’s now easier to start routes, see alerts en route, and notify others of hazards on the road. If you choose to integrate it with your calendar, Waze tells you when you should leave for appointments based on traffic conditions. (Apple’s Calendar app and Google Now have similar functionality, so the feature isn’t unique to Waze.) Waze 4.0 makes it super easy to add stops along your routes, and send locations and ETAs to people in your contracts. I didn’t notice any difference, but Waze 4.0 also promises to “significantly” reduce its battery consumption. The update makes Waze an even more compelling navigation app. Many people, including some of my friends, swear by it and don’t use any other navigation apps. They love Waze’s crowdsourced traffic and road hazard alerts, which are particularly useful during long highway drives. But Waze falls short in a number of ways. Where Waze disappoints The app lets you choose from multiple voices for spoken turn-by-turn directions, including Jay Leno and Colonel Sanders of KFC fame, but the majority of these options do not include spoken street names. As a consequence, you hear only “turn right,” for instance, instead of “turn right on Main Street.” Waze displays specific street names on screen, but not hearing them means you often have to look at your iPhone screen to be sure you’re going the right way — not the safest way to navigate. Waze search can sometimes take too long, especially compared to Google Maps, which almost always finds what you’re looking for in seconds. (Google owns Waze, by the way.) It’s a free app, and you’re subjected to ads. (Google Maps is also free but doesn’t have ads). The ads pop up when you stop during navigation, at a traffic light, for example, rather than while you’re driving. They’re annoying, though, and Waze doesn’t currently offer a paid, ad-free version. If you’re an avid Wazer, you’ll likely love the updated app. Even if you’re not, Waze is worth a download to your iPhone or Android smartphone, just for the road hazard alerts. However, I’m still sticking with Google Maps, at least for now — especially because it will soon offer the ability to add stops to routes (at last) and check gas prices. Related content opinion 3 top travel apps worth revisiting TripAdvisor, Kayak, and TripIt have been around for years. But they keep getting more powerful and more useful with new features. By James A. Martin May 09, 2017 4 mins Mobile Apps Consumer Electronics opinion Amazon Echo Dot gets more portable and better sound from Vaux A new speaker/dock called Vaux gives Echo Dot two things Amazon left out. But does that make Echo Dot and Vaux a better buy than Amazon Tap? By James A. Martin Apr 29, 2017 2 mins Amazon.com Gadgets Mobile Apps opinion Who's smartest — Alexa, Siri, Cortana, or Google Assistant? You won't be shocked to learn that Apple's Siri virtual assistant has the best sense of humor. But you might be surprised to learn which virtual assistant is the smartestu2014and which one is no. 2 with a bullet. By James A. Martin Apr 27, 2017 4 mins Gadgets Mobile Apps Artificial Intelligence opinion Does the world need a Windows smartwatch? The answer is, 'yes,' if you like the idea of a commercial-grade wearable for retail, hospitality, healthcare and manufacturing. But the track record of squeezing Windows into a small device isn't good. By James A. Martin Apr 26, 2017 4 mins Wearables Mobile Apps Consumer Electronics Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe