Google Just Announced a Bunch of New AI Features for Maps
Google Maps is one of those apps that essentially does everything I want: I enter a destination, it directs me to it, and then I turn off the app. Of course, this doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. So, it’s always intriguing whenever Google announces a new set of features and changes to Maps. This time, many of these changes are simply driven by artificial intelligence.
Of course, now everyone is betting on AI. And Google being Google, the company is using its Gemini artificial intelligence platform to launch some of these new features. Most of them are launching today, but some will also appear in the coming weeks. Here’s what’s new.
Google wants you to ask Gemini where to go
Instead of looking for specific directions, Google wants you to use its AI chatbot to get advice on what to do. The company says you can ask Gemini questions like “fun fall activities,” “interactive date ideas,” or “things to do on a relaxing Sunday,” and the bot will generate suggestions in Google Maps. I think this will save you a trip to Google. This feature is being rolled out today.
Gemini will summarize all these reviews for you.
Dashboard generation is one of the features that companies most often advertise in their AI programs. For example, Apple Intelligence summarizes your notifications , while Google tries to combine multiple sources into a single AI-generated explanation —sometimes with disastrous results .
However, the company wants you to trust Gemini to summarize Google Maps reviews for you: Instead of sifting through any number of reviews to determine whether a location is worth your time, Google thinks you should take a look at Gemini’s summary to find out everything you need need to. j. If you want to know where this summary came from, you can always look at the reviews themselves.
Google continues to build artificial intelligence features that generate information based on the work of others—whether independent users viewing a restaurant on Google Maps or online sources writing articles. This is a small version, but it shows that AI-powered features are often enabled through free participation from users rather than the companies themselves.
This feature launches today.
Find out more stops on your route
Google wants to make it easier to find interesting deviations along your current route: the company says things like “charming local cafes” and “unusual roadside attractions” will pop up when you swipe up on the route preview. If you see something you like, you can add it to your itinerary. This feature is also launching today.
Ask Gemini about your destination
You can also contact Gemini with questions about your destination: this includes questions such as “is booking recommended?” “What is the parking situation?” or “Is there indoor seating?” The feature is coming to Maps today, but it’s coming to Search in the coming months.
Immersive View Extension
Google is expanding the list of cities compatible with Immersive View , a feature that uses artificial intelligence to create a 3D view of a city from street images and has been slowly rolling out over the past year and a half. Google says the feature is now available in more than 100 cities, with the number expected to grow to 150 by the end of the year.
Routes now also have an Immersive View mode, which will highlight features such as parking lots, bike paths and difficult traffic areas. You can choose a location along your route to explore further. This particular Immersive View feature will arrive on November 11th.
In addition to expanding Immersive View, Google is also adding more detail to the overall directions. You should be more aware of which lane you should be in at any given time, which should reduce the number of times you suddenly need to change lanes to make a turn or merge onto a freeway. It’ll be out next week.
Report hazards to Waze with your voice
It’s not actually about Google Maps, but Google owns Waze, so I guess it will make a press release. Either way, this is probably the most useful new feature here. Waze now lets you report hazards on your route using your voice, which is a fantastic update. I’ve never been happy that a feature designed to make driving safer requires users to fiddle with their phones while driving . However, you still need to interact with your phone to use this feature, but you only need to tap the Report button before saying what you see. This option launches today in beta in English.
In addition to this Waze feature, Google Maps users will be able to report new types of weather disturbances, such as flooding or roads with poor visibility. The feature will launch next week in the US, India, Canada and Australia.
To make it easier to know what to do when you arrive
Google is working on new features that will be available after you reach your destination. Maps will point you to your destination in the app and highlight available parking, as well as give detailed directions on how to get to your destination once you get out of the car. You’ll also see business information here, so by the time you get there you’ll know whether your destination is open or closed. This feature will be available next week.