Google has been hard at work integrating Gemini into its wide suite of apps. The brand recently rolled out Ask Photos in Google Photos for deeper contextual photo search and it has now announced a similar massive upgrade to Google Maps, alongside a host of new navigation features.
Google Maps finally gets the power of Gemini
In an official announcement yesterday, Google is rolling out its biggest Maps update in over a decade, deeply integrating its Gemini AI to transform navigation. The long-rumoured Ask Maps feature is finally here, designed to answer specific, real-world questions during or before a commute.
For drivers, Google is introducing Immersive Navigation, which completely changes the in-vehicle navigation experience. Maps now come to life with 3D visuals that reflect the surroundings, showing users road details, lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights and stop signs. This could help users tackle lane mergers and turns with greater confidence.
Voice guidance has also been revamped and it will sound far more natural and conversational. It will give users intuitive cues such as "Go past this exit and take the next one", making navigation far less confusing. Besides, Maps will now clearly explain why it asked the user to take the route it recommended over the other one.
This could be due to the current traffic on the alternate route versus a faster toll route. Additionally, as users approach the destination, Maps will pinpoint the exact building entrance and nearby parking options, ridding users of major points of anxiety.
The Ask Maps feature is now rolling out to all users in the US and India, whereas Immersive Navigation will be US-exclusive for the time being. The latter will be available on smartphones, CarPlay, Android Auto and Google's Automotive OS. The update is now available on the Google Play Store and App Store.
