The Waze of the future: Google Maps is baking in Waze’s real-time incident reports. You’ll get alerts for accidents and speed traps reported by Waze’s 140 million active users. It’s rolling out slowly, so be patient if you don’t have the intel yet. (Yes, Google owns Waze.)
The online review problem is getting worse
If you’re like me, you scan online reviews before adding that big “something” to a shopping cart … choosing a new plumber or finding a place to get sushi — OK, you get the idea. And you probably are like me: Up to 99% of buyers look up online reviews before purchasing, well, anything.
But here’s the fly in the ratings soup: Reviews have never been less trustworthy. We’re surrounded by brigading (engineering lots of positive posts) and review bombing (engineering lots of negative posts).
No wonder people who trust digital reviews as much as personal referrals have fallen from 79% in the past couple of years to only 49% this year.
“Kim, I know. It’s a problem.” Then let’s talk about what to do. Keep this list as a handy lil reference when shopping for gifts, big ticket items and destinations … or just figuring out what the heck to trust.
Pics, or it didn’t happen
Snaps of the product, place or results are more challenging to fake than just words on a screen. Scan those photos for time stamps or, better yet, for EXIF data. You might uncover when and where the photo was taken, making sure it’s legit. Apps like Exif Pilot can help you dissect the image info. That’s a pro move!
Unfriend social media reviews
You know social media reviews can be sketchy. So, let’s pivot. Sure, Google Business Profile is solid, but how about crowd-sourced map reviews like those on Waze? Yep, you can get some real insider info on local businesses from customers and road warriors. The BBB is an excellent place to get a review, too.
Negative Nellies need not apply
Don’t get lured into the negativity spiral. Instead, apply the 24-hour rule. Check out a company’s response to recent negative reviews. They’re likely more reliable if they’ve addressed issues in a day. Also, make it a habit to skim through a company’s replies to customer reviews; they can be revealing.
Bypassing big-box bewilderment
Amazon’s a juggernaut, but let’s sidestep it. Did you know smaller online forums like Reddit’s r/BuyItForLife offer stellar recommendations from people who’ve had products for ages? Of course, you can’t beat Consumer Reports. I use this site for every major purchase.
Tab overload? How to control what happens when you start your browser
Today’s tech is all about choice. There’s the classic debate: iPhone versus Android. It’s about a lot more than blue and green message bubbles. Here are things you can do on Android phones but still can’t do on iPhones.
Speaking of Alphabet, “G” is also for Gemini: Gemini AI in Google Maps can help you find interesting spots nearby, and it even summarizes others’ reviews. Any chatbot can use this data to answer location-based questions. In Waze, you can report accidents just by talking to the app, too. They’re hoping more eyeballs in the apps equals more ad dollars.
Check this site to see how much time your city wastes commuting
Workers in the U.S. spend an average of 52.2 minutes per day driving to and from work. This figure can vary widely from region to region, though. Tap or click here for our favorite ways to maximize gas mileage.
TomTom, an industry leader in location data and studies, has released a tool that can show you exactly how long your city’s residents sit in traffic at the beginning and end of the day. These figures are weighted by travel time per 10 kilometers, and the results are kind of surprising.
Gas prices are the highest they've ever been - How to find the cheapest prices
If you want a decent car, you’ll likely need to take out a loan. Then there’s insurance on top of that. And if your vehicle breaks down after the warranty expires, you’re looking at thousands of dollars worth of expenses. Tap or click here for a great warranty alternative that could help you save big time.
No Waze! Navigation apps are turning men into worse drivers. A study shows female voice assistants trigger mating-related cues, like risky behavior. Seriously, 40% of men in the experiment were more likely to run a yellow light. Switch to a male voice, dudes.
You have to agree to these terms of service or say goodbye to Google Maps
Driving around town with Google Maps, you may have recently seen a notice on the display when you opened the app. Many users might glance over it and hit the OK button, but it’s actually an important update.
Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze are great for getting around, but it needs to get the live data from somewhere. You are the most valuable source of this driving data that is shared with others.
Navigation, parking, maintenance and more: 6 best car apps
Hitting the road before winter fully kicks in seems like a great idea. With so many options and locations to choose from, it can be difficult to pin down where exactly it is that you want to go.
But no matter where you are going, make sure to take safety precautions ahead of time. Tap or click here for five smart travel tips to keep you safe. You’ll also want to plan, so you know the perfect destinations, money-saving ideas and more.
Don't be tracked, use these Google alternatives
Think for a minute about what Google doesn’t know about you. Its search engine dominates the competition, with more than 91% of market share across the world.
It doesn’t stop there. The web giant owns — among other things — Gmail, YouTube, DoubleClick, Nest and Waze. These apps know what you’re watching, where you’re going and what you’re interested in online.
Attention iPhone users: Apple may finally make a change you've wanted for years
What happens to iPhone owners when you send them a link in an email? As anyone with an iPhone can tell you, the link opens in the Safari app. This might sound all well and good, but there’s one little problem: Safari isn’t everyone’s browser of choice.
Apple's new Maps is here - and there's one huge advantage over Google Maps
It’s true that Apple bundles its phones with tons of useful apps. But one program nearly everyone deletes or shoves in a folder is Apple Maps. And compared to alternatives from Google and Waze, there’s just no comparison.
10 essential apps for your new iPhone or iPad
Did you get a new iPhone or iPad this Christmas? If so, welcome to the Apple ecosystem! The iOS family of products are some of the most robust smart gadgets on the market and are admired by millions of fans worldwide.