Windows Phone 8 joins the Waze club as new app launches

It is just a banner day for Windows Phone software. Already today, we’ve told you about the evolution from Nokia Music into Nokia MixRadio, and just hours ago we saw the long-awaited WP8 port of Instagram finally become available. We’ve got one more cross-platform app arrival to share with you before we’re done, getting word that Google-owned Waze has made its own Windows Phone Store debut.

This is a bit of a Waze returning to its roots, as the app was on Windows Mobile back in the day. We didn’t get a WP7 app, but learned of work on a private WP8 beta over the summer. Today we see the fruits of that effort, as the WP8 version of Waze is now available for all to enjoy.

Waze, as you may remember, uses crowdsourcing to gather data on traffic conditions and alert you about accidents, road closings, and the like. Even if you’re not actively using the app, simply keeping it running while you’re in your car can help improve the data available for others.

We know, it’s no YouTube, but this is the latest indication we’ve seen of a recent swell of Google interest in Windows Phone apps. Just a coincidence, we wonder, or a sign that tide may be turning?

Source: Windows Phone Store
Via: The Verge

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About The Author

Stephen Schenck

Stephen has been writing about electronics since 2008, which only serves to frustrate him that he waited so long to combine his love of gadgets and his degree in writing. In his spare time, he collects console and arcade game hardware, is a motorcycle enthusiast, and enjoys trapping blue crabs. Stephen's first mobile device was a 624 MHz Dell Axim X30, which he's convinced is still a viable platform. Stephen longs for a market where phones are sold independently of service, and bandwidth is cheap and plentiful; he's not holding his breath. In the meantime, he devours smartphone news and tries to sort out the juicy bits Read more about Stephen Schenck!