Google today announced some new features for Maps that take advantage of Gemini AI.
Users can now ask for suggestions about places to visit and things to do from Maps. Using Gemini, Maps will be able to plan an activity for you or a group of people around an area. Gemini can also provide you with a summary of user reviews and you can also ask if a location has outdoor seating or is a quieter environment. These features will start rolling out this week on Android and iOS in the US.
For drivers who rely on the navigation feature, you can now use the ‘Add Stop’ feature to add top sights, attractions, scenic stops and dining options to your route. Maps will now show you lanes, crosswalks, and road signs more clearly when you navigate and tell you which lane you need to take that exit. Finally, you’ll also be able to report weather-related disruptions on your route so other drivers can see them.
The map will also tell you about nearby parking spots as you get closer to your destination. You’ll also get walking directions from your car to the entrance with Street View or AR Walking. These features will be launched in more than 30 metro cities and later on Android and iOS globally.
Finally, Maps is getting an enhanced immersive view experience. For those unaware, Immersive View lets you experience what stadiums, parks and routes look like using AI, imagery and computer vision with appropriate weather and traffic conditions for the chosen time of day and location.
Now, the immersive view will be available in 150 cities globally. It will also add new categories of locations, such as college campuses. The immersive view for routes will be able to tell you where to park and highlight complex turns. The update will start rolling out this week on Android and iOS in locations where the feature is available.
Additionally, Google is also updating Waze with new features, including being able to report road incidents with a new Conversational Reporting feature that speaks in a natural voice as well as being able to see school zones on a map .
