Google announced this morning that it is making the Google Assistant available in Waze, its other navigation app.

“Google Assistant can already help with navigation in Google Maps, so it’s easier to search for places along your route or add a new stop while you’re on the go,” Google’s Austin Chang writes. “And starting to roll out today in the U.S., you can get help from the Assistant in Waze on Android phones in English.”

If you’re not familiar with Waze, it’s like a community-driven version of Google Maps that focuses exclusively on navigation. Waze users report traffic, road problems, accidents, speed traps, and other issues to the community, helping the app improve for all of its users. (And yes, some of those features are starting to find their way into Maps, as well.)

Now, this functionality can be controlled via voice. Just say “Hey Google, report traffic” or “Hey Google, avoid tolls” when navigating with Waze and your Google Assistant will help keep you connected and informed, Google notes, while minimizing distractions. This is almost certainly better than looking at and touching your phone’s screen while driving.

I assume that Google Assistant support in Waze will expand beyond English and the U.S. but the firm doesn’t mention this.

Tagged with Google Maps, Waze