--- original post 5/18/09 ----

Dash was the Internet-connected satnav that aimed to have its users contribute to real time road information. The company changed plans, and got out of the hardware business and plans to license the platform. It didn't quite catch on (and had a pretty high price....)

Enter Waze, a similar idea with some success in Israel, that offers a phone-based app, currently only for Andoid devices in the U.S.

It goes into full U.S. alpha on Tuesday, after an invite only alpha in the Bay Area earlier this month. Those who have seen the interface find it a bit complex for use while driving and there does seem to be a sort of social aspect where users gain points for reporting different kinds of situations such as traffic, road construction, accidents & incidents, police traps & speed cams, and available parking.

The business model has not be shared (though it currently runs on venture money) and I'm concerned that going nationwide in the U.S. (vs. in tiny Israel) may doom the effort from the start. Waze grew out of FreeMap, a user generated map of Israel.

Other tidbits:
The Israeli version supports more hardware and OSs.
The Israeli site's livemap seems to use OpenLayers.
A version of the code is available under open source (GPL) license.
My translation for the Hebrew for smart phone is "wise phone."

Mashable has further details. I've not received the answers to my questions yet....