In November, Google brought Gemini to Maps for the first time, and today it’s expanding AI capabilities inside Maps ask map. As the name suggests, it lets you ask anything about any location in Google Maps, and Gemini will answer inside an “interactive experience.”
Google says Gemini can “answer complex, real-world questions that Maps could never answer before”. You can literally ask for anything – a place to charge your phone, a lit public tennis court, these are just two examples of what Google gives. Simply tap the Ask Map button and ask.
Gemini in Maps analyzes information from over 300 million places, including reviews from the 500 million-strong Maps community. Results are personalized based on places you’ve previously searched or saved to Maps, so you get the most relevant recommendations.
With Ask Maps, you can also book restaurant reservations, save places to a list, or share them with friends. And yes, you can get directions and navigate too. speaking of which, immersive navigation Google says this is the biggest update to Maps in more than a decade.
It comes with redesigned visuals and more intuitive guidance, helping you stay focused and informed on the road with real-world information and natural directions. The map has a 3D view that shows buildings, overpasses, and the area around you, and you’ll see lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs highlighted when it’s helpful.
This spatial understanding of your route is made possible with the help of the Gemini model, Google says. They analyze fresh, real-world imagery from Street View and aerial photos to give you an accurate view of things in your path.
Immersive navigation shows a wider view of your route, with smart zoom and transparent buildings helping you see ahead. Voice guidance is more natural, and you’ll also be informed about tradeoffs for alternative routes, like a longer trip with less traffic or a faster trip with tolls.
Maps will also alert you to real-time disruptions along the way, and before you start driving you can preview your destination and its surroundings with Street View, and get recommendations for where to park. As you get closer to your destination, the map will highlight building entrances, nearby parking, and which side of the road to be on.
Now for the bad news. Ask Maps is now rolling out on Android and iOS in the US and India, with no word on other countries at this time. Immersive navigation is rolling out across the US today, and “availability will expand to eligible iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, Android Auto, and cars with Google Built-in in the coming months”.