Many different kinds of applications have come and gone since the early days of mobile phones and pocket computers. However, GPS navigation apps are still commonly used today. The answer is quite definite. Being able to navigate to any location you require is always valuable.
Today, because of the rapid expansion of urban areas, it is challenging for both residents and tourists to get to their destinations quickly while also avoiding traffic. Urban dwellers constantly hustle, trying to efficiently reduce commuting times.
Navigation applications are getting highly popular these days. The number of location-based service users is predicted to increase in the future. Hence, if you are also planning for creating a GPS navigation app, you are on the right track.
What is a GPS navigation system?
A GPS navigation system is a combination of an audio/video (AV) element and a GPS receiver created for a specific application, like a portable or in-car device or mobile application.
The position of a receiver on earth can be determined using the global positioning system (GPS), a 24-satellite radar system. The U.S. Department of Defense created GPS. Initially, the technology was employed for military functions. Since 1980, when GPS technology was made accessible to the general public, it has proliferated in a wide range of products, including vehicles, ships, smartphones, electronic gear, and even personalized heads-up projection glasses.
Key features of a GPS navigation app like Waze
Authorization
An integral part of applications like Waze is an authorization. The user can post critiques, make comments, and engage with other users after registering. There are two different ways to sign in: using Facebook or your email address.
Voice navigation
Drivers should not be distracted while operating a vehicle, which is why this function is essential. The speech function tells you when to turn left and after how many kilometers, for example. You can easily turn off voice control if you think it is bothering you.
Push notifications
An app like Waze mobile app shows user messages more attractively. These messages can be sent straight into their chat box or via push notifications. When a user enters a certain region or location, this can be implemented for navigation apps.
Rerouting
If a driver encounters a road accident or makes a wrong move, your GPS software needs to quickly reroute them so that they may continue to follow the basic instructions.
Users don’t have to wait around for your app to re-analyze the route; they can start following the appropriate directions right away.
Geopositioning and navigation
The foundation of a navigation app is created by maps. For determining the location of the user, looking for things, and visualizing the path, Waze location tracking makes use of the navigation system.
You can include the Cell Identification feature in your application to cut down on inaccuracies since it relies on information from wireless carriers. The app’s location services will be accurate if your team blends Cell ID and GPS.
Social networking
Since social media apps can provide authentication and incentives, you must integrate your app with social media during sign-up. Additionally, social network integration enhances customer experience and reduces authenticating risk. In conclusion, the application enables users to sign in swiftly by using their existing account rather than requiring them to create a new one.
At Appinventiv, our experts know how to take advantage of the fundamental demand for social integration that permeates all users of mobile apps in the present day. To design an app with all of these capabilities, get in touch with us immediately.
Services for payment
As a technique of commercialization, an application for GPS navigation may use in-app payments. There is a chance of collaboration if your app gets momentum among drivers and individuals who provide related services.
Ride-sharing
Waze enables Drivers to enjoy free fuel by using a Ridesharing service. On your device, you can see all the other users who are moving toward the same route. The cost of the trip’s gas is split between the driver and the passengers. The Waze-like app’s suggested fee is determined in advance for each ride. The app instantly debits users’ bank accounts and credit cards.
Synchronization of Google Calendar
The Waze-like app can be synced with Google Calendar by users so that their travels can be more viable. The Waze navigation app creates a list of upcoming appointments alongside their destinations when it has access to the calendar. Users can just use their navigational app to find their previously inputted locations in this way.
The Concept of Waze App
Waze is a high-end GPS navigation app that has some amusing and useful features. This is the 2nd top-rated mobile app among users, beaten by Google Maps only. It allows users to get real-time traffic updates, use live maps, and other road information.
How Does Waze Work?
Global users use Waze for enhancing one another’s routes by sharing real-time data regarding road repairs and traffic conditions. Waze helps you inform others regarding police traps, accidents, weather conditions, blocked roads, and so forth. This app instantly assesses this data to make sure that others can explore the ultimate routes. Waze is the official navigation app for many taxi booking apps like Lyft.
Waze is different from conventional GPS navigation app as it is community-driven, collecting traffic data and complementary map data from its users. Whenever the app is running, it collects data. It must have exact data from every closer road for offering the shortest route. At the time of your driving, the app will compare information for every possible route and provide the ultimate route as per your choice.
You require an active internet connection for loading routes as Waze does not work offline. To keep the map updated and power real-time traffic data, you need an internet connection.
In-app location-based advertising is Waze’s own ad product. It’s a location-guided ad platform for businesses that need to attract nearby drivers’ attention. While driving, you can see ads for nearby eateries, stores, and other areas.
The most interesting fact is that Waze assesses not just your area but also your destination to provide the most appropriate advertisements. This map app has made a system where any local business can claim locations on its maps while conveying local ads and targeted messages to people who are driving nearby and seeking a location.
Steps to Follow to Build a GPS Navigation App like Waze Successfully
To build a map app like Waze, your development team should follow the steps discussed below:
1. Conduct a Research
Start this project with a thorough study to enhance its success by recognizing its possible risks and weaknesses. The team must make a checklist to make sure the quality of every stage of planning, building, testing, and distribution of the app.
2. Select Your Tech Partner
You must select an app development firm to develop your application. In this phase, you study, assess, and choose an organization to team up with you for building your navigation app. Signing an NDA is a key part of this app development process.
3. Fulfill Your Target Audience’s Needs
These days, users want smart navigation. They want the app to not just notify about traffic jams but also about speed cameras, for instance. Modern intelligent apps must also instruct drivers to reach the parking area near their destinations that have ample spaces and display gas prices.
4. Add As Many Handy Features as Possible
Add as many useful features as possible to your Waze-like navigation app so it can deliver an excellent service to all users.
5. Add Gamification Features
Gamification features help encourage users to return to your app. Take the points system as an example. Users receive points for various activities in the app, such as sharing road data or for kilometers driven with the app. These points can be compared with other drivers’ points.
6. Keep Your App’s UI/UX Design as Simple as Possible
Your app buttons must be visible and large enough so drivers can discover them and click them with no issue. Concentrate on the basic app functionality – the UI must comprise just the components needed at the time of navigation.
7. Add Voice Directions
Voice directions make navigation more secure as users won’t get distracted by looking at the mobile screen. Ensure to play the voice directions at the right time. When you accomplish this, users can follow them with no distraction – for instance, looking at the mobile screen. The same goes for sending lots of notifications at the time of navigation – users just must not receive lots of them.
App developers can use Google Maps Directions API that allows users to select the voice from the list and implement it.
8. Attach a Video during App Publishing
While uploading a map app like Waze for review, don’t forget to add a video that displays how the app works. Without this video, Google or Apple might reject your app, saying that they don’t know why they should allow your app to play audio and run in the background.
