Road Games: Waze Now Lets You Play While You Map

We’ve already hipped you to Waze, the interactive GPS app that dynamically improves its maps by tracking your location (read here and here).  Originally an Android-centric app, the program recently added iPhone, WinMo, and Symbian flavors — all free.

Now Waze has upped the fun factor with its “Road Goodies” feature. Think of it as a form of GPS Pac-Man, in which you gobble up points-laden icons while you drive.  Sounds like good mindless fun, but there’s a method to Waze’s madness: each icon represents a map problem spot, and by munching each icon, you’re continuing to improve their mapping.  Here’s a demo:

Right now, the points don’t have any real-world “worth,” but Waze is holding a “Holiday High Points Challenge” for both US and international drivers, and hint that future versions of the app will change the icons on a seasonal basis, and even offer surprise-filled “treasure chests.”