Lets not forget Waze was one of the first unpaid turn-by-turn apps on iOS. 

long before Maps and Google added navigation, Waze was one of the only free GPS option for quite a bit of time allowing them to collect not only a massive amount of geo data but human input as well from their social layer.

in other words they were strategically aligned with Google from the outset, suggesting a pretty admirable exit strategy that was fundamental to the founder’s success.

what could the babble exit strat be?

On Oct 7, 2015, at 8:56 AM, Anthony Zeoli <[address removed]> wrote:

I was addressing the part of his post that says he doesn't use Waze for the specific feature I use it for. I was pointing out that a New Yorker would probably not use that feature or find it valuable, because New Yorkers don't drive long distances. For those who do, the feature is more useful.

Tony Zeoli Founder, Digital Strategy Works LLC p:[masked] | e:[address removed] | w:http://www.digitalstrategyworks.com | a:4101 Verde Vista Circle, Asheville, NC 28805

From the blog:Digital Strategy Works launches TonyHumphries.com and social media strategy

On Wed, Oct 7, 2015 at 8:05 AM, James DiGioia <[address removed]> wrote:

He's not arguing that Waze isn't useful. What he's saying is, at the time Waze came out, if someone told you they were building a "social Google Maps," you would've thought them crazy. Who's going to compete with Google and win? Especially on something as complicated as mapping?

So it's hard to judge something like Brabble as looking like what's already out there because sometimes taking what's already out there (Google Maps) and adding some features (user reporting) is actually really effective.

Anthony Zeoli wrote:

Patrick, when you travel U.S. 40 between Raleigh, NC and Asheville, NC as much as I do, Waze reporting comes in extremely handy. I can see how that feature might not be handy for drivers in New York City, but when you get out onto the open highway, it's extremely useful.

Tony Zeoli Founder, Digital Strategy Works LLC p:[masked] | e:[address removed] | w:http://www.digitalstrategyworks.com | a:4101 Verde Vista Circle, Asheville, NC 28805

From the blog:Digital Strategy Works launches TonyHumphries.com and social media strategy

On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 5:40 PM, Patrick Questembert <[address removed]> wrote:

For me Google Maps is equivalent since they are both pretty good at understanding the destination and both take traffic into consideration. It's true that Google Maps added traffic considerations only in 2011 so when Waze got started in 2009 that WAS a huge differentiator.  Also, Waze add the ability for users to report accidents, police presence, speed cameras and blocked roads and while these features are not essential for me perhaps they have great appeal to others. With the benefit of hindsight of course Waze did innovate compared to existing alternatives, I just think it just wasn't *that* obvious back then.

On Tue, Oct 6, 2015 at 5:15 PM, Ross Sclafani <[address removed]> wrote:

What is the pre-existing analog to Waze?

On Oct 6, 2015, at 4:50 PM, Patrick Questembert <[address removed]> wrote:

Waze

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])
This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of Ross Sclafani from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])

This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of Patrick Questembert from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])
This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of Anthony Zeoli from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])
This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of James DiGioia from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])
This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of Anthony Zeoli from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]

--
Please Note: If you hit "REPLY", your message will be sent to everyone on this mailing list ([address removed])
This message was sent by Meetup on behalf of Ross Sclafani from NY Tech Meetup.
To report this message or block the sender, please click here
Set my mailing list to email me As they are sent | In one daily email | Don't send me mailing list messages

Meetup, POB 4668 #37895 NY NY USA 10163 | [address removed]