Vlad Dm
0
0
3
The expansion of mobile location based services
At the current stage of development of mobile app development technologies, there is a great variety of location services apps. They appear in almost each category of different app stores. No matter what target audience you represent, there is a strong chance you will come across geolocation built in the app you choose.
Let's explore the most common types of mobile location services. They are listed on the principle of decreasing popularity based on the TNS research that studied the reasons for installing navigation apps.
Finding nearby events and places
This category includes, primarily, the applications for travelers and for people who want to keep interesting events abreast that take place in their area. These apps are based on GPS navigation. Often, they provide extra services such as short historical notes using the technology of augmented reality.
Using navigation
The main purpose of such apps is to guide a driver or a pedestrian through an unfamiliar road. Navigational apps pave the optimal way and warn about possible barriers like traffic jams or roadworks.
Getting in touch with friends
This category covers location based social media, location based messaging apps, location based news apps, and also location based dating services. Based on detecting the position of certain people, an application may offer a wide range of options. For instance, dating apps can find your best half within your city or even region.
Receiving special offers
Different kinds of discounts are widely used in location based shopping apps. Thanks to the beacon technology, a user receives relevant notifications once he or she approaches a particular shop or supermarket. Based on the user's preferences learned from previous purchases, the retailers make really attractive proposals.
Checking public transport
The passengers can easily get from one point to another by public transport even if they do not know which bus or tram number suits them. Using location based software, they can enter the point of departure and the place of arrival. The app will suggest the best options for making the trip.
Waze's formula for success
One of the hallmarks of the Waze app is that it accommodates several categories above. Not only is it a navigation service but also a specific means of communication that combines a long list of additional options. Designed in a cartoon-like style, it easily wins people's trust and adjusts them to the relaxed style of interaction. The fact that Google bought Waze for nearly $1 billion confirms a brilliant idea and a great realization of the latter.
So, what makes Waze so special and what stands behind its success? At first sight, it may seem that it's a habitual GPS app that helps not to get lost on the way. However, when we take a closer look, we can see a wide spectrum of nonroutine decisions that convert a standard idea of location based tracking into a non-trivial application. Let's consider them in more detail.
Effective cooperation
This functionality is based on the users' teamwork. While driving, each of them has an opportunity to mark gridlocks and bad pieces of road. To illustrate the situation, a user can attach a photo.
It is also possible to notify friends about forced delays and the approximate time of arrival right from the app. An intuitive interface allows doing it in a fast and simple manner.
Notifying users about bad pieces of road via Waze
Scheduled drive
Waze is an intelligent app. It can learn the habits of its users and suggest the optimal solutions. For instance, having studied the most frequent routes by which a driver moves, the app offers the best time for the trip, taking into account the situation on the road. It is also possible to enter the date of trip manually and get updated about the best variants of departure time.
At will, the user may synchronize scheduled drives with the calendar, share them via Facebook, or send them via email.
Free gas
Not only can Waze users track the nearest gas stations and identify the type and price of gas, they also have the opportunity to receive gas for free. Using the Waze Rider service, the drivers can give a lift to the passengers who are moving in the same direction. Unlike Lyft or Uber users, they won't get paid with money but receive special points that can be converted to gas.
Speeding warnings
One of the latest features introduced by Waze is alerting users about speeding on the particular bits of road. Waze does not disclose the secret of developing this functionality. However, we may affirm that it works on the basis of GPS location tracking technology and the notes made by other users.
A great thing is that you can adjust the relevant settings as per your needs. In particular, you can choose when exactly the app should send a warning. The possible options include alerts at once when the speed limit is exceeded and when it reaches 5%, 10%, or 15%. In addition to visual signals, it is possible to set up voice notifications.
Celebrities' voices
It is really boring to listen to robotic voices that say 'turn left' or 'turn right'. The possibility to choose between male and female versions would not be surprising either.
Realizing it, Waze got ahead in achieving customers satisfaction and offered the chance to pick up the voice of a favorite celebrity. Isn't is cool to be guided by Elvis Presley or Morgan Freeman?
From a functional point of view, this option may not bear any value, however, it contributes largely to increasing the client's loyalty.
More here: Applications like Waze Development Secrets
0
0
3
Vlad Dm
From the Author
Related Articles
If you create a profitable carpooling business through apps, then follow certain points before clopping to build a carpooling apps like waze.
0
1
If you use Waze to navigate you may appreciate having the Waze app be front and center on CarPlay while you’re driving with iPhone. You might even be interested in replacing Apple Maps with Waze if you use the Waze app more than Apple Maps on your CarPlay vehicle.
0
2
No longer a technology wonder, GPS keeps making inroads into the daily lives of a vast number of people.
How can someone who is considering navigation app development as their next IT investment increase their odds and make an app like Waze?
0
2