Throughout my years with Waze and beyond, I’ve heard so much nonsense about the app. Celebrating 11 years since Waze was acquired by Google, it’s a good time for me to put those to rest.
1. Waze routes people to toll highways because the company gets paid for it by the toll highways
Not only that I heard that many times, in one particular event there was someone, who didn’t know who I was, and after telling me that, I responded this was not true. He insisted, “Trust me I know,” I replied, “Trust me you don’t.”
Then, he claimed he had seen the contract in his own eyes. I told him my name and suggested he would google me. He did and I never saw him again.
2. Apple was the first to make an offer to acquire Waze
There was even a two-page spread article in an Israeli newspaper with details describing the deal.
Once, someone asked me why we hadn’t taken the Apple offer, to which I answered there was no offer, “Oh, you were unable to conclude the negotiation?” she asked, to which I replied that we never spoke with them about the acquisition.
3. Waze was developed as an intelligence app during my service in the military
Seriously? I was done with my military service back in 1989 and with a few more years of reserve service later. There wasn’t even a GPS device available back then.
4. There are paying customers that Waze saves the best routes for them.
Well, if this is the case, then why don’t you pay and get the best routes? You wouldn’t find it because there is no such feature.
5. If you are speeding, Waze will issue you a ticket
Say what? Waze was always on the driver’s side. That was the reason we built it in a way that even if a court orders us, we cannot provide this information because we didn’t keep it in the first place.
6. Former Israeli president, Shimon Peres, recorded prompts for Waze
No, it was a pretty good imitation, and the president really liked it. However, former president Reuven Rivlin actually recorded prompts for the Israeli 70th celebration. Also, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recorded prompts.
7. If you change your avatar into a yellow taxi, it will give you routes that include public transportation lanes/streets/roads
True. This is how you mark to Waze that you’re a taxi driver and that you’re allowed to drive on those restricted lanes.
8. You can allow Waze access to your calendar and then it notifies you when it is time to leave to arrive on time
True, but it doesn’t take into consideration parking time.
9. Waze has a crisis team to help with natural disasters in different countries
True. It is even assisting right now the people of Porto Alegre in Brazil to navigate through the floods.
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