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Waze Gets a 'Less Chatty' Update, Personalized Routes

The update also expands Gemini-powered voice search and reporting -- though a new motorcycle mode skips the US for now.

Antuan Goodwin CNET 13 Jul 2026, 22:00 2 min read 5/10

Waze Gets a 'Less Chatty' Update, Personalized Routes

Key Takeaways

Waze's new 'less chatty' mode reduces frequency of non-critical voice alerts, letting drivers customize notification density.
The update leverages Google's Gemini AI for natural language voice search and incident reporting, improving hands-free use.
Personalized routes learn from a user's historical drives—favorite roads, frequent destinations, preferred route types.
A dedicated motorcycle mode offers suggestions for curvy or scenic roads, but is not launching in the US due to regulatory hurdles.
The global rollout begins immediately, with Android and iOS users receiving the update over the coming weeks.

The driving app known for its constant chatter is finally giving drivers a break—and learning their preferred roads. Google’s Waze is rolling out a global update that introduces Waze personalized routes, a "less chatty" mode, and expanded Gemini-powered voice search and reporting, though a new motorcycle mode will skip the US for now. Waze has long been the go-to navigation app for real-time traffic avoidance, but its frequent voice prompts have annoyed some users. With this update, Google aims to balance utility with user comfort. The update includes a personalized route feature that learns from your driving patterns; a "less chatty" setting to reduce non-essential alerts; and integration of Google's Gemini AI for voice queries and reports. However, the new motorcycle mode—designed for bikers with suggested twisty roads—will not launch in the US initially due to regulatory and safety considerations. This move reflects Google's broader strategy to make its apps more adaptive and AI-driven, while also addressing specific user feedback. The exclusion of the US for motorcycle mode highlights varying road safety laws and insurance implications across markets. Expect further refinements as Waze continues to iterate on personalization and AI features. The motorcycle mode may eventually reach the US after legal assessments. The less chatty setting and Waze personalized routes are rolling out now, with Gemini voice search expanding globally. For US users, the only missing piece is the motorcycle mode, which remains under review.

Frequently Asked Questions

Waze's 'less chatty' update reduces the number of non-essential voice prompts, such as repeated recalculations or alerts about police presence. Users can choose a quieter interface while still receiving crucial navigation cues.

Waze's personalized routes learn from your driving history, including frequently visited places, preferred road types, and time-based patterns. The app then suggests routes tailored to your habits, aiming for faster and more enjoyable drives.

The update integrates Google's Gemini AI to improve voice search and incident reporting. Users can ask natural language questions like 'Find gas stations along my route' or 'Report an accident', and Gemini understands context and provides relevant results.

The new motorcycle mode, which suggests curves and scenic routes, is not launching in the US due to regulatory and safety considerations. Different road traffic laws, helmet communication laws, and insurance implications are under evaluation before a potential US release.

The update is rolling out globally now for Android and iOS devices. Users should check their app store for the latest version; updates may take a few weeks to reach all regions.

To enable less chatty mode in Waze, go to Settings > Voice & sound > Audio settings, and look for the 'Less chatty' toggle. Alternatively, in the route selection screen, you may see a prompt to reduce chattiness.

Original source

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