Waze might soon get lane guidance support

You might not be driving around as much these days, but that doesn't mean your trusty navigation apps aren't working on adding new features. One such app is getting a long-requested feature: lane guidance support. Google's Waze is reportedly getting lane guidance, and it will be testing out the feature first in Israel. We aren't sure which markets will be getting first dibs.

Lane guidance is particularly useful when you're driving down unknown areas where you aren't sure when to switch lanes to make your exit. Lane guidance appears on top of your navigation screen, with markings consistent with what you'd see on road signs. The lane you're supposed to be on will be highlighted on your app. This feature will appear on the screen around 500 meters before you turn on city roads or a kilometre before you exit on highways. Lane guidance will not show up for roundabouts, though.

Source: BGR

Shawn Mendes tops Spotify's list of songs most listened to by Waze users in 2019

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Three Canadian artists make the list of Spotify's top 10 songs listened to by Waze users around the world in 2019. At number one, we have Pickering-born Shawn Mendes with Camila Cabello for the song "Señorita." Mendes is joined by Snow, who collaborated with Daddy Yankee for the number 2 song "Con Calma." Then there's Justin Beiber in the fourth spot with his collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the track "I Don't Care." You can check the full list under the cut.

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Ottawa joins the 'Waze for Cities' program

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The city of Ottawa partners with Waze to share its traffic data to help provide drivers with improved real-time updates during their commutes. Ottawa will be offering traffic data related to crashes and construction, allowing drivers to plan their routes better. The city says in a press release that the combination of Waze user submissions and traffic information will help provide more accurate information regarding road conditions.

Waze has partnered with other cities like Toronto and Montreal in Canada and New York and San Francisco in the US for this program. The partnership is also part of Ottawa's Smart City plan, where they plan to use innovation, technology, and leading practices to improve residents' experience when it comes to getting information and accessing services in the city.

Waze and Lincoln want to help you relax while you drive this holiday season

With the holiday season comes traffic, there's just so much to do, and sometimes you need to be out and about to get things done. Waze wants to help you keep your cool while you're out on the road.  The navigation app partnered with Lincoln for a new turn-by-turn navigation voice that doubles as a "calm and mindfulness guide." It will remind you to "Ready, set, relax! And start driving," and "Heavy traffic reported ahead. Deep breaths!" Available until December 29, the new voice can be found by heading into Settings, then Voice Direction. Look for the option Lincoln Canada.