Crowdsourced navigation application Waze has introduced an interesting new feature, which will allow users to use their own voices for voice prompts. So, instead of s strangers voice, you can have your own voice (or your wife’s!) telling you to take the next left and come back home.
The feature has been introduced to the Android application in an update that was released on the 5th of May. Since Waze is owned by Google, it pretty much made sense that the update arrived on Android first. However, it is expected to make an appearance to the iOS platform soon as well.
As per a blog post by Waze:
Currently available on Android devices (and coming soon to iOS), the Waze Voice Recorder allows you to add an extra hit of personality to your turn-by-turn directions and follow in the footsteps of Waze voice greats like Morgan Freeman, Keith Morrison, and recent additions, Mr. T and Disney/Pixar’s Cars 3 stars Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm.
Using custom voices isn’t a first for navigation applications. However, these applications mostly relied upon celebrity voices and the sort. This is the first time that a navigation app will allow its customers to use whatever voice they will — be it their friend’s, a family member’s or even their own.
Simply locate the voice recorder in setting, under the Sound and Voice section of the Waze application. Once you do that, you can record your own prompts. The recorder also contains a list of all prompts that are used by the application. So you can customize one, two, or all of the prompts and have a complete personalized experience. Sure, you will have to put in a fair bit of work for that but there you have it.
Meanwhile, Waze recommends that you use clear and intelligible voices to ensure that you avoid any mishaps while out on the roads.
