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Waze vs. Google Maps: I tested two of the best navigation apps, and there's a clear winner


The Waze vs. Google Maps debate has raged for years - here's the verdict.

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWaze needs a data connection for It'll cache your route a bit if you start with a signal, but once you're offline, you're mostly out of luck -- no live updates, no rerouting, and limited functionality. You can stream music directly through the built-in audio player (), pick a voice " sidekick" like Halo's Master Chief or comedian Nate Bargatze, and even set a mood once you've driven more than 160 kilometers. If you want to visually explore a location before you go -- like seeing what a building entrance looks like or checking parking availability -- you'll need to use Google Maps, which offers full Street View integration.

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