Google has announced that it is rolling out the biggest navigation update in Google Maps in a decade and which, of course, revolves around AI functions powered by Gemini. One of the highlights is the new feature Ask Maps (Ask Maps), which offers a chatbot-like experience within Google Maps.
As the name suggests, Ask Maps can interpret complex real-world questions asked with natural language and generate personalized answers based on real-time information. It includes relevant photos, route visualizations and analyzes information from Google’s enormous database of more than 300 million places and community reviews contributed by more than 500 million contributors. For example, you can ask ‘My cell phone battery is running out; ‘Where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?’.
Google claims that the chatbot personalize your answers based on your saved items in Maps and what you’ve previously searched for. For example, it knows your dining preferences when searching for a nearby place to eat, and you can reserve tables at restaurants, save suggested places to a list, or share them with others.
The function is similar to Ask Photoswhich the search giant added to the app some time ago Photos. It adds to the growing list of Google Maps AI features, such as the recently added ability to use Gemini for walking and cycling. Ask Maps is already starting to reach users of Android and iOS in USA and India and the web version is on the way. Will roll out to other regions later.
Google is also updating its browsing experience with a new feature called Immersive Navigation (Immersive Navigation), which is based on an existing Google Maps feature called Immersive viewreleased a couple of years ago.
This latest update includes Redesigned 3D graphics highlight difficult-to-map road elements such as underpasses, pedestrian overpasses and the relief of the terrain. The voice guide has been updated to sound more natural and the buildings They become transparent as you move, to help you make difficult turns or lane changes.
By suggesting alternative routes, Maps also It will tell you what you win and what you lose. For example, if an option is longer but has less traffic or if it is faster but includes a toll. Google will use updates introduced by the community to alert you about incidents in real time along the route.
Immersive Navigation will also show a preview of your destination and its surroundings using Street View and will offer parking recommendations. It will highlight the main entrance of a building and tell you which side of the road to go on as you approach your destination.
Google points out that the function has begun to be rolled out in the United States and adds that its availability will be expanded to devices in the coming months. Android/iOS compatible, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with Google integrated. As usual, the rollout is gradual and will soon reach more regions.