Thing 5

Maps

Waze has the cutest icon I've ever seen, so I'm glad that turns out to be a really great map app for me. 

Looking through the other map app options, I didn't like the connotation with the word "Swarm," and I absolutely don't care about checking in when I go places, so I didn't try that one. I didn't try Google Maps, even though it came with my phone, because Google Maps has literally steered me wrong enough times that I don't trust it.

I should emphasize that I am severely directionally challenged, to the point that I need printed-out maps for almost every place I go if I haven't been there in a month or so. I've visited all the Carmel elementary schools several times, but those maps are a requirement for me to reliably get to each one as needed. With that said, I didn't like the idea of using a phone to help me navigate. It seems wonderful if you can use it while someone else drives, but it makes me really nervous to have that distraction while I'm driving. However, it just so happened that I had a doctor's appointment at a new place in Fishers a couple of weeks ago, the day after I reviewed the map apps. So I figured it was a good time to test one out.

I got all set up with Waze at work before I left, watched the guided video tour, and entered in the office address. Once on the road, it took a while to get used to this thing moving around on the phone, but once I realized that little arrow was ME (you can change the arrow to a various cute cars or motorcycle), and that it would adjust if I took an unexpected turn, I really liked it. I like the little alerts for road work and such; at one point a darling little policeman icon showed up, and within a few seconds, sure enough, I passed a police car that had pulled someone over.

So much to like about Waze! I love that it tells you on top how far until your next turn, w/ an arrow pointing in the direction you'll turn, and if it's a roundabout coming, it's a circle with an arrow for your exit. The only problem is that I have very limited data on my phone. What with me going to and from the doctor's office, and then using Waze to get to a party at an unfamiliar house last weekend, my data was all used up. Sigh. It's probably for the best, though. I don't want to get used to having my route all spelled out for me, because I really do need to think through it myself. Plus there's the distraction element. But I love having it in an emergency, and the next time we go on a trip, I'll pay for more data and navigate while my husband drives.