Submitted by Fred Straker on
Apple has brought offline maps to Apple Maps with the launch of iOS 17. This feature simplifies navigation in unfamiliar areas, cuts data usage, and helps to prevent getting lost in areas with weak network signals. Maps for areas of interest can be downloaded in advance when a data connection is available. Just keep in mind that real-time information like traffic incidents may not be available on offline maps.
Submitted by Jon Reed on
Waze has long been one of the most popular navigation apps for many drivers because it allows users to report accidents, hazards, police speed traps and other road conditions in real time, thereby sharing the information with other Wazers. In a pretty significant update with iOS 14.5, Apple Maps now lets its users do the same. It doesn't let you report to the same level of detail as Waze does, but you can report basic accidents, hazards and speed traps. Here's how:
Submitted by Jon Reed on
If you regularly use a navigation app like Waze or Maps while driving, then you probably are no stranger to maddening interruptions while you are trying to listen to the radio or carry on a conversation with another passenger. Adding insult to injury, these apps will often repeat the exact same directions just seconds later. This can quickly become unbearable, especially if there are a lot of turns on your route. If you feel the same and are fine with just following on-screen directions, here's how to turn off turn-by-turn voice directions on Waze, Maps and Google Maps on iPhone:
Submitted by Jon Reed on
The new Shortcuts app, which is a reboot of the old Workflow app that launched with iOS 12, lets you create simple programs that use a variety of apps to accomplish a task. For example, the Time Machine shortcut for Photos lets you quickly pull up all of your photos from one year ago. This is just one of hundreds of pre-programmed Shortcuts found in the app's Gallery. To use a shortcut you need to first add it to your Library from the Gallery.
Submitted by Jon Reed on
Google-owned Waze ranks among the most popular navigation apps because of its real-time community based traffic reports that go above and beyond other apps in the category, with reports of potholes and other obstacles, red light cameras, police activity, speed traps and more. Like any app that is used while driving, its hands free features should be employed to avoid distraction. Waze wasn't always capable of voice control, so some long time users may not be aware that the feature was introduced later.
