Google on Thursday announced that Google Maps is introducing a conversational “Ask Maps” feature powered by Gemini and 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 use natural language to ask complex real-world questions, such as “My phone died, where can I charge it without waiting in a long line to get coffee?” or “Are there any public tennis courts with lights that I can play on tonight?”
The tech giant says this feature can also be used to quickly plan trips. For example, you could ask, “I’m heading to the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Coral Dunes. What are some recommended stops along the way?” The map shows directions, estimated time of arrival, and tips from real people, including how to find hidden trails and get free admission tickets.
Google says Ask Maps uses signals such as locations you search for or save to your account to personalize answers. So if a user asks a question like: “My friend is picking me up from Midtown East after work. Do you have a cozy place with a table for four tonight at 7 o’clock?” Ask Maps may already know that you prefer vegan restaurants, and will suggest convenient options that offer vegan-friendly options.
Ask Maps is currently deployed in the US and India on Android and iOS. Google says the feature will soon be available on desktop as well.
As for the new “immersive navigation” update, Maps gets a 3D view that reflects nearby buildings, overpasses, and terrain, similar to Apple Maps. The app also highlights road details such as lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs.
In addition to visual changes, Maps has added features designed to give drivers better information on the road.
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Maps gives drivers a broader view of their route through smart zoom and transparent buildings, allowing them to see ahead and prepare for difficult turns and lane changes.
Additionally, Google has updated the audio guidance in Maps to sound more natural. For example, if you exit the freeway at two exits, you’ll hear something like, “Please pass this exit and take the next exit toward Illinois 43 South.”
Maps now also account for the tradeoffs of alternative routes, such as longer trips with less traffic or faster trips with a fee. The app also alerts you to real-time disruptions on your route, such as roadworks or collisions. These features use data from both Google Maps and the Waze community.
Google also announced that before you head there, you can preview your destination and its surroundings using Street View imagery and get recommendations on where to park. As you approach, the map will highlight the building entrance, nearby parking areas, and which side of the street it is on.
“Our team set out to redesign the driving experience with the goal of taking the guesswork out of travel,” Miriam Daniel, vice president of Google Maps, said in a briefing with reporters. “Immersive navigation is a complete transformation of the navigation experience, with redesigned visuals, fresh real-world information delivered just-in-time, and more intuitive guidance.”
Immersive Navigation is rolling out across the U.S. today and will expand to eligible iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google-powered vehicles in the coming months.
Thursday’s announcement comes as Google built Gemini into Maps late last year, allowing the AI assistant to answer questions about locations along your route, provide information on topics like sports and news, and add events to your calendar. We’ve also started using Gemini with Street View to improve navigation instructions by not only looking at distances but also nearby landmarks like gas stations, restaurants, and famous buildings.
