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Waze adds new motorcycle mode and ‘OK Waze’ voice commands

Waze adds new motorcycle mode and ‘OK Waze’ voice commands

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The navigation app also now supports carpool lanes

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Waze is releasing a trio of new features for its popular turn-by-turn navigation app on Android and iOS today. First is a mode designed specifically for motorcycle riders that provides recommendations for the best route based on data pulled in from fellow motorcyclists, which is a little more valuable than sourcing those calculations from cars. Waze says it has gotten better at estimating arrival times for motorcycles, which “vary greatly from automobile ETAs,” and the motorcycle mode also adds routing info for narrow roads that aren’t accessible by car.

Today’s update also introduces hands-free “OK Waze” voice commands in the US, UK, and Canada, letting you request info or change your destination without taking your hands off the wheel. After the OK Waze hotphrase, you can say things like “take me home” or “find a gas station” or “what’s my next turn?” You’re also able to report bad traffic conditions, accidents, road hazards, or police by speaking to Waze.

And the last feature is something Waze claims is a first for any navigation app: carpool lanes are now part of the app’s routing system. HOV route support is launching in 22 US states plus Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, with more cities in the US and Canada on the way.

The list of carpool lane launch locations in the US is: Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.