Google Maps just got a big upgrade, becoming smarter, easier, and more hands-free thanks to a push of new Gemini AI features.
Google describes this update as being like “having a knowledgeable friend in the passenger seat who can confidently help you get where you’re going.”
While Google Maps has had AI features built in before, this upgrade brings some noticeable improvements, mostly to the driver’s ability to find destinations along their routes. It boils down to four new features.
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A conversational assistant
Navigate more easily, just by asking – YouTube
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By bringing the Gemini assistant to Google Maps, users will be able to interact with the map system more easily than before. Along with being able to track down places along your route, find nearby chargers, or share your ETA with friends, you can also ask multi-step complicated requests.
For example, asking Gemini to “find a nearby restaurant within the next four miles on my current route that serves affordable vegetarian food.” What is the parking like and is it busy?”
These kinds of requests wouldn’t have been possible with the previous Google Assistant features in maps, now offering multiple steps of information in one go.
This update also allows for better integration of other Google tools. For example, you could ask Gemini to “Put in directions to the nearest shopping centre, and put an event in your calendar in 20 minutes of what you need to buy when you get there.”
As an extension of these improvements to the assistant, Google claims it is also easier than ever to report traffic incidents. Using phrases like “I see an accident” or “looks like it is flooding” will be converted by Gemini into accurate warnings for Google.
Landmark assistance
Landmarks: Get to your destination with real-world landmarks – YouTube
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Sometimes, it isn’t actually clear where Google Maps is telling you to go. Whether that’s because there are twenty random roads piled together, or you’re going too fast to judge the distance, Google is trying to make this clearer with more identifying features on the map.
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Along with traffic lights and stop signs, Google will start showing landmarks like gas stations, restaurants and famous buildings on the map, along with these being included in the voice commands, like “turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant” with it highlighted on the map.
Gemini achieves this by analyzing Google Maps’ Street View images. While this feature could be incredibly useful, it also has the potential to go wrong quite easily. It requires Gemini to quickly and accurately confirm that landmarks are still there, especially when it comes to restaurants, which can open and close quite quickly these days.
Beat the traffic
No Nav-proactive Alerts: Beat traffic before you’re in it – YouTube
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Currently, Google Maps will notify you of upcoming accidents or major disruptions to your route. This is normally done by a quick pop-up or, in some cases, just the colour of your arrival time getting darker.
With the Gemini update, Google Maps will proactively notify you of disruptions on the road ahead. This feature will first roll out to Android users in the US. There is no clear arrival date for other regions.
Get a clearer picture
Lens in Maps: Get the inside scoop, thanks to Lens built with Gemini – YouTube
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Another feature that Google is announcing is the ability to get a clearer picture of destinations on the map. These could be the restaurant that you are currently heading to, or a random bar that you want to check out on the way.
If you see a pin, clicking on it allows you to have a conversation with Gemini about that destination. This can allow you to ask “what the vibe is like?” or “What is the most popular dish here?”
These are more conversational questions that Google Maps would have struggled to articulate before, but by searching through reviews, websites or Google Maps pages, Gemini can develop a better understanding.
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