5 Secret Waze Tips You're Missing Out On

Discover Hidden Waze Features to Enhance Your Navigation Experience

Waze has become a go-to navigation app for many users, offering a range of features that set it apart from other mapping services. While it's known for its community-driven approach and real-time updates, there are several lesser-known features that can significantly improve your experience on the app.

Determine the Right Time to Leave for Your Destination

One of the most useful features in Waze is the "Plan a drive" function. Instead of starting navigation immediately, this tool allows you to schedule future trips based on your desired arrival time. By entering your destination and arrival time, Waze calculates the best departure time considering current traffic conditions. This helps you avoid getting stuck in traffic and ensures you reach your destination on time.

To use this feature, open the Waze app, tap the hamburger menu in the top-left corner, and select "Plan a drive." Add your destination, choose the day and arrival time, and save the trip. Waze will send you a notification when it's time to leave, and the trip will appear under the "Upcoming" section for easy access.

Connect Your Calendar for Timely Alerts

If you want to streamline your planning, Waze offers an integration with your calendar. This feature automatically pulls your upcoming trips from your calendar, ensuring you receive timely reminders to leave on time. It works with both Google Calendar (for Android) and Apple Calendar (for iPhone). For third-party calendars, you’ll need to sync them with the default calendar first.

To connect your calendar, navigate to the "Plan a drive" section, tap "Connect calendar," and grant access. You can then configure which events Waze should track and set preferences for time-to-leave notifications. Once set up, all your commutes will appear in the "Upcoming" section, and you'll get alerts when it's time to depart.

Customize Your Navigation Voice

Waze allows you to personalize your navigation experience by using a custom voice for turn-by-turn directions. Whether you prefer a more familiar voice or one that’s easier to understand, this feature lets you record your own directions and use them instead of the default voice.

To set up a custom voice, go to the settings menu, select "Voice and sound," and enable "Sounds" under "Voice directions." Tap "Waze voice" and choose "New voice" under "Custom voices." Follow the prompts to record and save your voice for each direction phrase. Once completed, you can select your custom voice as the default for navigation.

Find Parking Spots Near Your Location

Navigating to a destination can be stressful, especially if you're unsure where to park. Waze simplifies this process by providing information on nearby parking spots, including availability, rates, and amenities like EV charging stations. This feature is available before your drive, during your journey, or upon arrival at your destination.

When searching for an address, Waze shows a list of parking options. You can set a parking spot as a stop or view parking pins along your route. Additionally, you can manually search for parking once you arrive by tapping the search bar and selecting the "Parking" option. Results can be sorted by price, distance, or relevance, making it easier to find the best spot.

Navigate Using Coordinates for Unaddressed Locations

Sometimes, you may need to navigate to a location without a formal address, such as a meeting point or a scenic spot. Waze allows you to use GPS coordinates to get directions to these places. Enter the latitude and longitude in decimal degrees format, separated by a comma, and Waze will display the location on the map. You can then view available routes and choose to navigate immediately or schedule the trip for later.

Additionally, Waze can show your current coordinates in real-time, which is useful for precise navigation and sharing exact locations with others. Simply type ##@coord in the search bar to toggle this feature on or off.

By leveraging these hidden features, Waze becomes more than just a navigation tool—it transforms into a comprehensive companion for your daily commutes and adventures. Whether you're looking to plan ahead, personalize your experience, or navigate to unique locations, Waze has the tools to make your journey smoother and more efficient.

5 Secret Waze Tips You're Missing Out On

Discover Hidden Waze Features to Enhance Your Navigation Experience

Waze has become a go-to navigation app for many users, offering a range of features that set it apart from other mapping services. While it's known for its community-driven approach and real-time updates, there are several lesser-known features that can significantly improve your experience on the app.

Determine the Right Time to Leave for Your Destination

One of the most useful features in Waze is the "Plan a drive" function. Instead of starting navigation immediately, this tool allows you to schedule future trips based on your desired arrival time. By entering your destination and arrival time, Waze calculates the best departure time considering current traffic conditions. This helps you avoid getting stuck in traffic and ensures you reach your destination on time.

To use this feature, open the Waze app, tap the hamburger menu in the top-left corner, and select "Plan a drive." Add your destination, choose the day and arrival time, and save the trip. Waze will send you a notification when it's time to leave, and the trip will appear under the "Upcoming" section for easy access.

Connect Your Calendar for Timely Alerts

If you want to streamline your planning, Waze offers an integration with your calendar. This feature automatically pulls your upcoming trips from your calendar, ensuring you receive timely reminders to leave on time. It works with both Google Calendar (for Android) and Apple Calendar (for iPhone). For third-party calendars, you’ll need to sync them with the default calendar first.

To connect your calendar, navigate to the "Plan a drive" section, tap "Connect calendar," and grant access. You can then configure which events Waze should track and set preferences for time-to-leave notifications. Once set up, all your commutes will appear in the "Upcoming" section, and you'll get alerts when it's time to depart.

Customize Your Navigation Voice

Waze allows you to personalize your navigation experience by using a custom voice for turn-by-turn directions. Whether you prefer a more familiar voice or one that’s easier to understand, this feature lets you record your own directions and use them instead of the default voice.

To set up a custom voice, go to the settings menu, select "Voice and sound," and enable "Sounds" under "Voice directions." Tap "Waze voice" and choose "New voice" under "Custom voices." Follow the prompts to record and save your voice for each direction phrase. Once completed, you can select your custom voice as the default for navigation.

Find Parking Spots Near Your Location

Navigating to a destination can be stressful, especially if you're unsure where to park. Waze simplifies this process by providing information on nearby parking spots, including availability, rates, and amenities like EV charging stations. This feature is available before your drive, during your journey, or upon arrival at your destination.

When searching for an address, Waze shows a list of parking options. You can set a parking spot as a stop or view parking pins along your route. Additionally, you can manually search for parking once you arrive by tapping the search bar and selecting the "Parking" option. Results can be sorted by price, distance, or relevance, making it easier to find the best spot.

Navigate Using Coordinates for Unaddressed Locations

Sometimes, you may need to navigate to a location without a formal address, such as a meeting point or a scenic spot. Waze allows you to use GPS coordinates to get directions to these places. Enter the latitude and longitude in decimal degrees format, separated by a comma, and Waze will display the location on the map. You can then view available routes and choose to navigate immediately or schedule the trip for later.

Additionally, Waze can show your current coordinates in real-time, which is useful for precise navigation and sharing exact locations with others. Simply type ##@coord in the search bar to toggle this feature on or off.

By leveraging these hidden features, Waze becomes more than just a navigation tool—it transforms into a comprehensive companion for your daily commutes and adventures. Whether you're looking to plan ahead, personalize your experience, or navigate to unique locations, Waze has the tools to make your journey smoother and more efficient.

Hut 8 Boosts Equity to $1B as It Shifts from Bitcoin Mining to AI Projects

Expansion of Equity Program and Ambitious AI Project

Hut 8, a prominent Bitcoin miner and data center operator, has significantly expanded its at-the-market equity program. This move allows the company to raise up to $1 billion in new capital, providing a substantial financial boost. The updated funding authorization was disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing an earlier $500 million program that had already raised nearly $300 million before being suspended.

Launch of Major AI Data Center in Louisiana

In a major development, Hut 8 recently broke ground on what could become one of the most significant AI data center projects in the United States. The project, located in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, is estimated to cost $2.5 billion. It will span 611 acres near Entergy’s River Bend substation and eventually include two massive buildings, each covering 450,000 square feet. These facilities will be equipped with advanced computing hardware.

The first building is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the second following within two years. Officials anticipate that the project will create thousands of construction jobs in the short term, along with numerous high-skilled, long-term positions once the facility becomes operational.

Diversification Beyond Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin miners have faced increasing challenges due to rising network difficulty, volatile BTC prices, and tighter energy markets. As a result, profit margins have narrowed, competition has intensified, and relying solely on mining has become a riskier strategy.

To adapt, Hut 8 has undergone a corporate rebranding, positioning itself as a “power-first, platform-driven business.” This shift signals the company's intent to be more than just a Bitcoin miner. Alongside its mining operations, Hut 8 has been investing heavily in hosting services, high-density compute solutions, and GPU-as-a-service offerings. In practice, this means the company is now operating in two fast-growing sectors: cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

Financial Flexibility for Growth

The $1 billion ATM (At-The-Market) facility provides Hut 8 with the flexibility to scale its operations across both the crypto and AI markets. This financial cushion can support new ASIC deployments while also financing large-scale data center projects like the Louisiana campus. By securing this level of capital, Hut 8 is well-positioned to meet the demands of both industries.

Strategic Implications for Hut 8

For Hut 8, this expansion goes beyond merely hedging against Bitcoin's market cycles. It represents a long-term bet on sustained high demand for AI infrastructure and the continued need for reliable, large-scale computing power. If the Louisiana campus is delivered on schedule, it could elevate Hut 8 to a major player in the AI infrastructure space, complementing its established Bitcoin mining business.

With a fresh $1 billion fundraising capacity and one of the largest AI-focused data center projects in the U.S. underway, Hut 8 is making a clear statement: it aims to lead not only in Bitcoin mining but also in the broader compute power industry.

Hut 8 Boosts Equity to $1B as It Shifts from Bitcoin Mining to AI Projects

Expansion of Equity Program and Ambitious AI Project

Hut 8, a prominent Bitcoin miner and data center operator, has significantly expanded its at-the-market equity program. This move allows the company to raise up to $1 billion in new capital, providing a substantial financial boost. The updated funding authorization was disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing an earlier $500 million program that had already raised nearly $300 million before being suspended.

Launch of Major AI Data Center in Louisiana

In a major development, Hut 8 recently broke ground on what could become one of the most significant AI data center projects in the United States. The project, located in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, is estimated to cost $2.5 billion. It will span 611 acres near Entergy’s River Bend substation and eventually include two massive buildings, each covering 450,000 square feet. These facilities will be equipped with advanced computing hardware.

The first building is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the second following within two years. Officials anticipate that the project will create thousands of construction jobs in the short term, along with numerous high-skilled, long-term positions once the facility becomes operational.

Diversification Beyond Bitcoin Mining

Bitcoin miners have faced increasing challenges due to rising network difficulty, volatile BTC prices, and tighter energy markets. As a result, profit margins have narrowed, competition has intensified, and relying solely on mining has become a riskier strategy.

To adapt, Hut 8 has undergone a corporate rebranding, positioning itself as a “power-first, platform-driven business.” This shift signals the company's intent to be more than just a Bitcoin miner. Alongside its mining operations, Hut 8 has been investing heavily in hosting services, high-density compute solutions, and GPU-as-a-service offerings. In practice, this means the company is now operating in two fast-growing sectors: cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

Financial Flexibility for Growth

The $1 billion ATM (At-The-Market) facility provides Hut 8 with the flexibility to scale its operations across both the crypto and AI markets. This financial cushion can support new ASIC deployments while also financing large-scale data center projects like the Louisiana campus. By securing this level of capital, Hut 8 is well-positioned to meet the demands of both industries.

Strategic Implications for Hut 8

For Hut 8, this expansion goes beyond merely hedging against Bitcoin's market cycles. It represents a long-term bet on sustained high demand for AI infrastructure and the continued need for reliable, large-scale computing power. If the Louisiana campus is delivered on schedule, it could elevate Hut 8 to a major player in the AI infrastructure space, complementing its established Bitcoin mining business.

With a fresh $1 billion fundraising capacity and one of the largest AI-focused data center projects in the U.S. underway, Hut 8 is making a clear statement: it aims to lead not only in Bitcoin mining but also in the broader compute power industry.