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Google Maps has long been the definitive mapping and directions app on both Android and iOS. One recent challenger to that standard has been Waze, which features crowd-sourced data on driving conditions to keep its information accurate and up-to-date. Waze was such a stand-out service that Google actually acquired it about five years ago. While Waze has never been absolved into Google Maps, like many expected, one of its best features might finally be making the jump.

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Apple Maps is about to get a huge upgrade, with exponentially more data, crowdsourced updates, and potentially paving the way to future AR smart glasses projects. The mapping app hasn't exactly got the best reputation among navigation right now, though it has significantly improved since Apple first launched it in 2012 as part of iOS 6.

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Last month, Google detailed something of a makeover for Google Maps. Personalization seems to be the name of the game here, with Google attempting to make it easier to find places to eat or drink and things to do by revamping the Explore tab. Most of these changes are going live in Android and iOS today, giving frequent Google Maps users a chance to try them out for themselves.

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Apple Maps is down in several core ways, with search, routing, and navigation all offline this morning. Apple confirmed that there was an ongoing issue with the mapping service this morning, and says it's investigating the issue.

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Google Maps is adding a cute new interface tweak, though right now only those using the iOS version for iPhone and iPad will be able to play with it. The new Google Maps for iOS is getting a customizable navigation icon, for those bored of the traditional blue arrow that shows where you currently are on the map.

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Google has updated Google Maps to include wheelchair accessible routes in transit, helping individuals with mobility problems get around. The routes are available for certain big cities and they're based around public transit, which is typically easier to use for individuals with wheelchairs and other mobility devices. These routes are available for cities around the world.

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Waze's main hook is its crowdsourced navigation offerings, but lately, we've also been seeing it build out a carpooling service. Over the past year, Waze Carpool has slowly spread across California and Texas, and today, the dedicated app that handles its carpool pairings is getting a pretty significant update. In fact, this update is so large that we could almost call this a relaunch.

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Navigation apps like Google Maps help cut down commute times and congestion by offering alternative routes when traffic is high. These alternative routes often take drivers down smaller roads that otherwise don't get much traffic, and while it can help alleviate congestion on highways and major roads, it may cause problems for the neighborhoods getting that additional traffic. One city in New Jersey has decided to take drastic steps to fix this problem.

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A small but useful update has been released for Google Maps, one that will be especially useful for those who rely on the app for directions via public transportation. The app now has a step-by-step navigation option when traveling on the train, subway, and bus, as well as notifications when the desired stop is approaching. The new features are now live on both the Android and iOS apps.

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As Los Angeles continues to burn, the LA Police Department has been forced to warn drivers not to trust their navigation apps, which may mistake roads where fires are raging for conveniently open routes. It's proved to be another example of how the Internet of Things may be heavily interconnected, but it isn't quite as smart as it really needs to be in order to be truly reliable.

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For most Google Maps users, getting directions to a destination comes with three or four options: cars, public transportation, walking, and possibly cycling. For users in India, though, soon to be followed by other countries, there is a fifth option: two-wheeler mode. This new option is represented by an icon resembling a motorcycle, and it is designed for motorbikes which may be capable of taking routes not accessible to cars.

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Waze is an app that tends to get new features on the regular, but the update landing today is definitely worth paying a little more attention to. The team behind the crowd-sourced navigation app says that this is one of the "biggest Waze app updates ever," and for good reason. There are three oft-requested features rolling out with this update, and they all center around making Waze a more personalized experience.

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