Google acquired mapping startup Waze in 2013. Just 11 years later, one of Waze’s coolest features is finally coming to Google Maps. As first noted by 9to5Google, users in the Waze community report that it’s now rolling out to Google Maps. The feature has long earned Waze a special fan base that prefers the small-start navigation and mapping app over products from much larger competitors like Google and Apple.
Essentially, this Waze feature allows users to share new or temporary incidents and warn other users of issues that may arise on similar trips.
For example, a Google Maps user shared a “Police Reported Ahead” alert they received from the Google Maps app. The alert included the addendum “From Waze Drivers.” The Google Maps alert asks, “Are the police there yet?” and allows users to tap “Yes” or “No” to report if police are still there at the location seen by other Waze drivers.
In recent months, Google has more tightly integrated Google Maps and Waze-specific features. As 9to5Google points out, Google said Google Maps will use Waze Community Reports in the app in a future update.
“Google Maps will surface reports from drivers mapped to Waze directly in the app,” Waze announced on its website in July.
The update is currently rolling out, so some Google Maps users may not see it yet, but soon all Google Maps users will have access to the popular feature that keeps so many Waze users staying with Waze.
