HomeGoogle Maps rolls out AI-powered 'Ask Maps' feature and enhanced immersive navigation
On Thursday, Google announced that Google Maps is adding a Gemini-powered conversational feature called "Ask Maps," along with an updated "Immersive Navigation" experience that brings 3D views, road details, natural voice guidance, and more to the app.
The new "Ask Maps" feature allows users to ask complex, real-world questions in natural language, such as "My phone is dying, where can I charge it without waiting in a long line for coffee?" or "Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?"
The tech giant says the feature can also be used to quickly plan trips. For example, you could ask: "I'm headed to the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Coral Dunes, any recommended stops along the way?" Maps will then provide directions, ETAs, and tips from real people, such as how to find a hidden trail or get a free entry ticket.
Image Credits: Google
Ask Maps personalizes its answers using signals such as places a user has searched for or saved to their account, Google said. So if a user asks something like, "My friends are coming from Midtown East to meet me after work. Any cozy spots with a table for four at 7 tonight?" Ask Maps may already know the user prefers vegan restaurants and will suggest convenient options that offer vegan choices.
Ask Maps is now rolling out in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS. The feature will be available on desktop soon, Google said.
As for the new "Immersive Navigation" update, Maps is gaining a 3D view that reflects nearby buildings, overpasses, and terrain, similar to Apple Maps. The app will also highlight road details such as lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs.
Image Credits: Google
In addition to the visual changes, Maps is gaining more functionality designed to help drivers stay better informed on the road.
Image Credits: Google
Google also announced that before you head to your destination, you can preview it and its surroundings using Street View imagery and get recommendations on where to park. As you get closer, Maps will highlight the building's entrance, nearby parking, and which side of the street to be on.
"Our team set out to redesign the driving experience with the objective of taking the guesswork out of trips," said Miriam Daniel, VP of Google Maps, in a briefing with reporters. "Immersive navigation is a complete transformation of the navigation experience. It has redesigned visuals, fresh real-world information brought to you just in time, and more intuitive guidance."
Immersive Navigation begins rolling out across the U.S. today, with availability expanding over the coming months to eligible iOS and Android devices, as well as CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicles with Google built-in.
Thursday's announcement comes as Google integrated Gemini into Maps late last year, allowing the AI assistant to answer questions about places along a route, provide information on topics like sports or news, and add events to a calendar. It also started using Gemini with Street View to improve navigation instructions by referencing nearby landmarks such as gas stations, restaurants, or famous buildings instead of just distances.
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On Thursday, Google announced that Google Maps is adding a Gemini-powered conversational feature called "Ask Maps," along with an updated "Immersive Navigation" experience that brings 3D views, road details, natural voice guidance, and more to the app.
The new "Ask Maps" feature allows users to ask complex, real-world questions in natural language, such as "My phone is dying, where can I charge it without waiting in a long line for coffee?" or "Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?"
The tech giant says the feature can also be used to quickly plan trips. For example, you could ask: "I'm headed to the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Coral Dunes, any recommended stops along the way?" Maps will then provide directions, ETAs, and tips from real people, such as how to find a hidden trail or get a free entry ticket.
Image Credits: Google
Ask Maps personalizes its answers using signals such as places a user has searched for or saved to their account, Google said. So if a user asks something like, "My friends are coming from Midtown East to meet me after work. Any cozy spots with a table for four at 7 tonight?" Ask Maps may already know the user prefers vegan restaurants and will suggest convenient options that offer vegan choices.
Ask Maps is now rolling out in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS. The feature will be available on desktop soon, Google said.
As for the new "Immersive Navigation" update, Maps is gaining a 3D view that reflects nearby buildings, overpasses, and terrain, similar to Apple Maps. The app will also highlight road details such as lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs.
Image Credits: Google
In addition to the visual changes, Maps is gaining more functionality designed to help drivers stay better informed on the road.
Image Credits: Google
Google also announced that before you head to your destination, you can preview it and its surroundings using Street View imagery and get recommendations on where to park. As you get closer, Maps will highlight the building's entrance, nearby parking, and which side of the street to be on.
"Our team set out to redesign the driving experience with the objective of taking the guesswork out of trips," said Miriam Daniel, VP of Google Maps, in a briefing with reporters. "Immersive navigation is a complete transformation of the navigation experience. It has redesigned visuals, fresh real-world information brought to you just in time, and more intuitive guidance."
Immersive Navigation begins rolling out across the U.S. today, with availability expanding over the coming months to eligible iOS and Android devices, as well as CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicles with Google built-in.
Thursday's announcement comes as Google integrated Gemini into Maps late last year, allowing the AI assistant to answer questions about places along a route, provide information on topics like sports or news, and add events to a calendar. It also started using Gemini with Street View to improve navigation instructions by referencing nearby landmarks such as gas stations, restaurants, or famous buildings instead of just distances.
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