Have you ever lost your way while driving to that crucial meeting you are trying to schedule from the past few months? Does your dilettante try finding the right route to a destination, by asking random strangers – that anyhow led at a dead point?   

Well, truthfully speaking we all have been through such scenarios more than once in our lives. 

But, millennials are fortunate enough to witness an era of digital upsurge. The personalized platforms offer easy access to technology which initially introduced us to a world of comfort and . Many successful apps have made life easier for their user-base, almost making them dependent on the app for assistance instead of any other source.  

Almost like magic, apps have offered us with a solution to our every challenge merely with a touch. It sounds more like carrying your personal advisor and solver on a small screen wherever you go.

That’s how mobile apps became a BIG part of our lives while offering abundant advantages. So, fasten your seat belt and get ready to discover the crucial aspect of mobile app development – “Navigation”. 

At present, it’s next to impossible to imagine our life without GPS navigation mobile apps, agree? 

Ready to take one up on?

Here, are two testimony to advocate the increasing popularity of navigation app: 

#Statistic 1

The average data used by leading maps and navigation apps braces the increasing popularity of navigation apps in the USA as of October, 2020. To have an insight, the average amount of data used by Apple maps in 20 minutes is 1.83 MB  in comparison to Google maps and Waze.

#Statistic 2

On 11 January 2021, according to App Annie, the latest statistics proves that 2 leading GPS navigation apps in Google Play are: 

1. Google Maps
2. Waze

The above stats, clearly define the bottleneck competition between the upsurging  downloads of two apps.

Awe-inspiring, right? 

Apps like these help you to find the best way to get to your destination in minimal time. Or, can assist you to find the closest bakery shop with fresh and mouth-watering pastries while you wait for your amigos.  

But, is still there a room for innovation? 

It may sound that there is no need for such diversity because they all are quite similar. Although, experienced iOS and Android app development service providers made the subtle difference for once seen dreams that are today’s successful reality.

Now, you may be wondering – “What Can You Add For A Successful Navigation App Except Navigation?”

A handful of amazing things! 

Waze navigation app is one of the brightest epitomes. Herein, you will find every know-how of technology stack, development time and cost to create a similar navigation app.

What Is Waze And What Makes It Popular?

Waze is a navigation-app, considerably a community-driven map app developed by an Israeli firm taken by Google (GOOG) in 2013 for 1.15 billion. Waze collects data from the app users to offer instant navigation routes. 

Data is then submitted automatically as users drive around and manually enter into the app. Users can report speed traps, traffic jams, road blocks, accidents, and other stuff that could usually slow down drivers. Now, being sold to Google, many of Waze’s features have been integrated into Google Maps. 

But, the first and foremost reason to fall in love with this app is its- “Personalized Beautiful Design”

Where It All Started?

These days, Waze has curated a second place in the navigation app aisle, right after Google Maps in the region of the USA. It may be a big bite to have that after 9 years of the first launch it holds close attention from users all across the globe. 

It all started back in 2008. At that moment Israeli app developers Uri Levine, Amir Shinar and Ehud Shabtai could not imagine what the future holds for them – A whopping $1.3 billion bargain with Google. 

Did You Know!

According to the deal, each employee of Waze received about 1.2 million payment, making it the behemoth payout in the Israeli IT domain’s history. 

The firm grew in silence. By 2010 it raised $25 million of funds, and a year after – $30 millions more. 

Further, this was followed by the rise in popularity – 

• January 2012 – 12 million download was under Waze’s hat
• July 2012 – 20 million users

As the moment of deal with Google approached, Yahoo reported that Waze reached 50 million users. Notable changes in such a short period, agree? 

So, let’s find what subtle difference in Waze’s iPhone app development grabbed Google’s attention.

What’s So Captivating?

As you know, Waze is the GPS navigation app with integrated elements of social networking. It offers drivers with the latest and most precise data clutched from other users in the same area. Waze follow two approaches to collect data and share the pieces of information: 

• Active: This approach is used when users themselves report about anything that initially turns your ride into a nightmare – police posts, car accidents or even road closures. 

• Passive: The time when the app analyzes a car’s speed to indicate traffic jams and coin the fastest way to reach your destination. 

And, finally, you get the most appropriate and real-time traffic information from the same drivers as you are. Nevertheless, there are even more amazing features. Let’s take a closer look at them. 

1. Alluring User Interface

The specially crafted Waze’s User Interface is one of the significant reasons why it’s easy to recognize. Rather than conventional navigation design, Waze has funny and friendly cartoon-like elements. 

Also, the app’s interface is well intuitive and easy to operate with. It won’t take too long to get familiar with fancy user interfaces and discover all its functions. 

Notable, isn’t it? 

So, keep in mind to have a fresh yet innovative User Interface. 

2. Real-Time Updates

It’s always better to have impeccable quality for satellite images in a navigation app, but Waze took it all to some new level. Real-time notifications from other users build a beneficial user experience. 

Elegant and effective! 

Also, you can upload photos and notes to offer others wholly accurate and precise data. 

3. The “Secret” Elements

The secret elements are often the add ons which make Waze stand out in the crowd. Any conventional iOS and Android app development can expand the list of possible functions and features for interaction with your app with its help. 

For instance, add-ons can include social media features or notify while driving through an area with a high crime rate. 

4. The Extras

Except for the above-listed three main advantages, Waze has numerous extra features making it even more memorable. Have a look:  

• Gas Stations ranking that offers you easy access in locating the cheapest gasoline in the area. 
• Carpooling, allow you to give someone a lift and in return, receive a small remuneration. 
• Planned Drives that calculate a perfect departure time considering destination place and time.

The Unskippable Waze App Technologies 

A Design That Bespoke Your App

This is for sure, the most controversial part of the app. I personally talked to a few people who denied using the app because of its “Kiddish” design. Yet, it’s pointless to wrangle about its design and detailing. 

Nevertheless, I would recommend you come up with an exciting and fresh UI design rather than standard “Google-Maps Like” design. 

You must be wondering why?

Simply, because your app won’t look alluring and it will soon wane in the crowd. On the contrary, an authentic and real design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, so think wisely about User Interface ideas. 

A Combo That Rare – “Social Platform With Navigation”

A rare yet successful combination of navigation and social elements is one of the decisive factors which boosted Waze’s success among the tough competition. So, if you are all set to develop your similar Waze navigation app, then it’s crucial to maintain the balance and take care of crowdsourcing possibilities. 

For a clear insight, you can implement the following features: 

• Comments: Integrating this feature can be used to offer more information about traffic for a specific area or location. It also offers an accessibility to converse with other members or drivers stuck in the traffic jam. 

• Likes: One more choice of communication that you can offer to be sure of the reported issues from other drivers. Or, probably just to thank them! 

• Added-On Features: The real Waze app offers users with an exclusive functionality as scoreboards, in-app mail service, or a feature to add the address of home, office and other favorite places. It also gathers teams with friends or other users to solve community issues and many others. 

In simple words, whether you partner with an iOS wizard or an experienced Android app development company, your techno partner is Layer SDK or Facebook API. 

Wait, Wait! There more.

Waze is a perfect GPS navigation app for many users because it offers drivers with the real-time data from their area – road blockages, local traffic jams, road repair, gasoline prices, and the list goes on. 

So, remember to integrate the above mentioned tools that will allow your users to share this specific kind of information with their professional community. 

A Core Function – “Geolocation”

Geolocation/GPS is a vital function of any navigation app. And, to rescue you in this typical scenario, Google Maps Directions API comes in the big picture. It offers you with an exclusive array of turn-by-turn instructions and readable notifications. As a choice, you can also consider,   HERE Maps or Skobbler SDK to bring your idea into operational reality and an effective tracking system for the users. 

Although to create an MVP, some apps offer users with a choice of voices (Waze, for instance, provides voices of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Freeman and many others). It proves to be a great idea to maximize interaction and be put to use in your marketing campaign later. 

For The Maximum Concentration – “Voice Recognition System”

Whether you believe or not, driving needs maximum concentration. Any distraction often leads to an accident, so it’s always better to take precautions even before any such scenario occurs. And, the easiest way is to ask your partner app development company in Dubai and across to implement a voice recognition system that offers drivers create routes only with their voice commands.

To accomplish this, your techno-partner will use a set of tools and technologies. Firstly, use API.AI  or Google Cloud API to convert voice commands to a text. Further, send it in the HERE iOS and Android SDK (Software Development Kit) or Google Directions to process the text and create an appropriate route.

Let’s Define Numbers

It sounds that I have mentioned all the “must-have” features for a clone app like Waze. 

And, by now you would be full to the brink with bright and exciting ideas! Ready with full enthusiasm to create your navigation app like never before? 

If it’s a YES, that’s good because there is merely one question left to uncover – “What Is The Development Cost To Create An App Like Waze?”

Regardless of the whopping cost of Waze app, which was at more than $1 billion, at the point of deal with Google, at nonce, the situation is quite different. Simply, partner with the trusted  app development company in Dubai, UAE with an exclusive experience of 18+ years to create a groundbreaking app without breaking your budget. 

Have a look at the below mentioned rough estimation for a better understanding.

The Final Cost Breakdown

To calculate the development cost, I took the best prices of $25/hr offered in the industry.  

If you are curious about the accurate and precise navigation app development cost, you can begin with a smaller and simpler MVP (Minimum Viable Product).

The Final Thought!

Navigation app should be crafted in a way that offers the unparalleled user experience. It has to ensure users intuitive interactions work seamlessly with the app’s functionality. If the user feels the need for “how to reach a specific function”, then it’s a high time to revise your decision of partnering with a mobile app development company.

To avoid that, Xicom Technologies creates navigation apps considering clients view and operation system guidelines.

If still, you have a shadow of doubts about whether Xicom has experience with mobile apps, especially navigation app development? 
The answer is “Yes”, they have! Just look at the portfolio and try their expertise with a Free Project Estimation to deliver a top-notch app!