Waze’s new Voice Recorder option navigates its way to iPhone app users

By Lulu Chang July 10, 2017

waze voice recorder for yourself ipad — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Who better to take directions from than … well, you? If you have difficulty trusting a robotic voice when it comes to navigating your way about town, Waze has good news for you. Thanks to a new update to the Google-owned navigation app, you can now replace that droning computerized voice with that of your own melodious cadences. So go ahead — record yourself giving yourself instructions. You might enjoy it.

The original update applied only to Android devices, but now, iOS users can also enjoy Voice Recorder support, thereby allowing them to create their own voice packs and share them with fellow Waze users. With Voice Recorder, Android and iOS users alike can create various prompts (like distances, instructions, and even start or end of drive phrases like “All set, let’s go!”), so if you’re looking to practice for your voiceover audition, this may be a great way to get started.

Of course, Waze is no stranger to bringing varied voices to its app. T-Pain and Morgan Freeman have both lent their voices to the cause, as Waze continues to make its navigation services more of a social, trendy experience. But as much fun as it may be to have T-Pain’s autotuned voice tell you to make a left at the next stoplight, there may be something satisfying about hearing your own voice in such an authoritative manner. After all, aren’t we all looking for some omnipotence somewhere in our lives?

To take advantage of the new feature, head over to your Waze app and find the settings panel. Then, navigate to “Sound and Voice,” and start recording basic navigation phrases. Because you’re in charge of the recording, you can have just about anyone serve as your voice of choice. That said, if you want your significant other telling you what to do, or your kids, or your friendly neighbor, those are all viable options, too. Keep in mind though that when you create a custom voice, you won’t be able to get full street name prompts as you would with a built-in voice, but that’s a small price to pay.

So if you’re looking to add some fun to your morning commute or your upcoming road trip, this may just be the Waze update you’ve been waiting for.

Update: Added news that iOS has also received the Voice Recorder update.

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