Looking back over the last year finds us with quite the smile on our faces. What can we say? It’s extremely gratifying to put in so much effort each day, and to actually see it translate into tangible results – and now that we’re closing out the year, we’re happy to report 10 million registered users, worldwide! And the best part? You guys aren’t just passive users who log in now and then, you’re people who really love our product and use it all the time, and that makes us super happy.

Looking in the metaphorical rearview mirror is cool because when we look at the cumulative numbers, they kinda boggle our minds. Can you imagine that by working together, the global Waze community saved one another nearly 4 million hours of commuting time?! We estimate that to be close to 6 million gallons of gas saved, and we all know the world can use a bit of a break in that regard.

But what’s more? You guys weren’t just in it for yourselves, you’re working hard to build and strengthen your local driving communities so that everyone benefits from common good out there on the road, and that’s awesome. We see this by the more than 25 million road reports you filed in 2011 - a 10 fold boost from 2010 – giving other Wazers nearby a heads-up as to what’s ahead. Respect!

Anyhoo, we’re just getting going over here, so stay tuned, as we expect big things in 2012, too. We’re already drawing up plans for lots of the improvements you’ve been waiting for, and have a bunch more magic up our sleeve… In the meantime, check out a little clip above that we made for you that reviews where we’re at, and more than anything, we wish all of you guys a bright and dazzling year to come!

Holy Canoli! The App Store’s always been good to us, but this week we got an early holiday present when we were voted one of the top 5 apps of the year in the Navigation category on the App Store Rewind 2011! We’re super excited to be honored in this way and are also looking forward to the tons of new users a feature like this has the capacity to bring into your local driving communities,  so make sure to keep your eyes open for new baby Wazers out there, and do your part to welcome them into the fold

GOOOOOOOOD MOOORNING Wazers!

It’s true that you might prefer to hear that from your witty, attractive, out-of-your-league morning traffic reporter. Well good news, because as of today, there’s a good chance you will.

That’s right, you heard it here first: Waze is officially partnering with ABC & BELO stations nationwide to be a part of the morning traffic! First cities up are San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, & Los Angeles.

What does that mean for you? No more sitting on the sidelines! Join your local news station’s traffic group e.g. ABC7 Traffic Watchers in LA, or WFAA Traffic Spotters in Dallas, and you could have your report read live on TV! That same traffic reporter might even say YOUR NAME. #SomeDreamsAreForReal

And remember- if you want your morning news to start using Waze, then send them a letter, call them, tweet them. Tell them to check out www.Waze.Tv (nifty, eh?)

We’re just happy to deliver your morning awesome.

Wanna see how it works? Lookie lookie:

Alrighty guys, here’s a real good one…

So, you already know how Waze is all about getting you to where you wanna go in the smartest way possible, but now we wanna ask you that question on a bigger scale: Where do you want to go around the GLOBE?! Dream big cause now’s your chance to snag a ticket to anywhere in the world for you + three friends! (Up to a $2000 value, each, if all four of you are registered Waze users before February 1, 2012)

It’s suuuuper simple to participate, all you have to do is:

• Click here to log in to the ‘With Waze You’re Going Places’ contest app on Facebook. Note that you’ll need to like the Waze FB page to get going, if you haven’t already…
• Create a group of three friends and invite them to participate with you in the contest. Note that this part is in two steps – you’ll first need to select the friends from your friend list to create the group, then you’ll need to click each of their pictures individually to send an actual invite. When all three of your friends log in to the contest app, your group will be complete.
• (Optional) Have each of your +3s become a registered Waze user before February 1, 2012. This will up your budget from $1500 to $2000 each, if your group is selected as the winner.

That’s all there is to it! The best part about it all? You can enter as many times as you want to increase your chances to win, each time with a new group of +3s. So, whatcha waiting for? Start creating your groups right now!

Note that the winners will be announced on February 2, 2012 on the Waze Facebook page…

UPDATE: Here are the winners! Congratulations US Wazers, Faith L.K., Dan K., Damien N., and Terry L. K. – you guys are goin’ places, keep your eyes open for an email from us…

And now, the fine print:

ELIGIBILITY:You must be 18 years of age or older to enter the Waze Inc. (Hereby “Waze”) ‘Going Places’ contest. PERIOD: Waze’s ‘Going Places’ contest runs from 12:01AM EST on December 8, 2011 thru February 1, 2012 23:59 EST. PARTICIPATION: Participants must have a Facebook profile that reflects their real name to take part in the contest. Any participant has the right to cancel his or her participation in the contest by clicking the ‘Remove App’ button. Note that a person can join more than one group but the same person cannot join the same group more than once. Different Facebook accounts for the same person within one group will disqualify the whole group. PRIZE RESTRICTIONS: Winners will be picked at random on January 2, 2012. The four winners do not need to travel to the same destination at the same time, but must book their ticket within 6 months of winning prize. Prize is for flight only. Any amount left over will be void. Each winner is responsible for any applicable taxes. Prizes listed are subject to its general availability on the market. In the event of non-availability on the market, Waze will provide a similar or equal compensation. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: By participating, participants agree to release, discharge and hold harmless Waze and its partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and their employees, officers, directors, and representatives from any claims, losses, and damages arising out of their participation in this contest or any contest related activities and the acceptance and use, misuse, or possession of any prize awarded hereunder. Waze reserves the right under its sole discretion, to cancel, suspend or modify the terms of the contest, in whole or in part; and the right to disqualify any participant in the event of tempering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes which in Waze sole opinion corrupt or effect the fairness, integrity, legality or proper conduct of the contest.  CONDITIONS: This contest is subject to federal, state, provincial, territorial and local laws and regulations. Certain restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. Waze makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, directly or indirectly, regarding the prize delivery and Waze is not responsible for prize delivery being late, lost, stolen, damaged, mutilated, incomplete, illegible, misdirected, or postage-due. Participants also agree (a) to be bound by these Official Rules; (b) that the decisions of the judges are final on all matters relating to the contest and (c) In the event that the selected winner(s) of any prize are/is ineligible or refuses the prize, the prize will be forfeited and Sponsor, in its sole discretion, may choose whether to award the prize to another winner. GOVERNING LAW/DISPUTE RESOLUTION: This contest shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of New York without regard to the conflict of laws doctrine of any jurisdiction; and any disputes, claims or causes of action shall be resolved only in a state or federal court located in the County of New York, State of New York. Any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of pocket costs incurred and under no circumstances will participants be permitted to obtain awards for and participants hereby waive all rights to claim, punitive, incidental and consequential damages and any other damages other than for actual out-of-pocket costs and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased.