Google Maps and Waze get new route guidance and alerts

More than ten years after it acquired mapping firm Waze, Google is still updating both it and its own Google Maps as separate apps. They're also being updated both for Android and iOS, and the new features will take some months to roll out over both.

Google's blog about the new features headlines the addition of incident reporting on Google Maps on iOS and Android, plus specifically CarPlay and Android Auto. The existence of the feature was previously spotted in CarPlay, where it had long been missing.

"You'll see larger reporting icons that are easier to tap so you can more quickly share updates — like that closed lane that backed up traffic on your way to work," says Google. "Other drivers can then confirm the incident with just a tap to help drivers passing by."

Google Maps is also now rolling out to iOS and Android — and later CarPlay — what it calls improved destination guidance. As users approach their destination, Google Maps will highlight nearby carparks.

At the same time, drivers nearing their destination will reportedly get more help because Google Maps "will automatically light up your building and its entrance as you approach it." Until the feature rolls out, it's hard to determine just how this works but it appears to be an on-screen highlighting rather than, say, some connection to HomeKit and actual lights.

Waze gets different updates

The two apps, Waze and Google Maps, may be getting updated at the same time, but they're not getting the same updates. Chief amongst the seemingly Waze-exclusive updates is a new camera alert system.

"For example, you'll now see an alert if you're approaching a camera that snaps pictures for things like speeding, running a red light, using the wrong lane (like bus, HOV or carpool), not wearing a seatbelt, or using phones while driving," says Google.

The data reportedly comes from Waze community members, so Google is surfacing that information more prominently, and also encouraging users to continue contributing.

Waze community users will now also be able to share real-time traffic information. Plus "we'll show you helpful details like the cause of the event, if there are road closures and real-time traffic conditions," adds Google.

The new Waze features are rolling out on iOS and Google now. Android users will finally get lock screen navigation shortly, and iOS users will get it in the fall.

Waze is available in CarPlay, but Google has not said whether these features will be coming to that version yet.

These updates to Google Maps and Waze on iOS come after Apple has begun bringing its Apple Maps to the web.