Google just announced two big new Gemini features for Google Maps. In fact, Google claims that this will be the "biggest navigation upgrade in over a decade."
The first big change is a conversational feature called "Ask Maps", which is designed to let you ask Google Maps more complicated questions that it never could have handled before. The idea is that this enhances the discovery experience in a way that's faster and more convenient for you, since you don't have to go sifting through reviews or do your own research to find things out.
Examples offered by Google include declaring that your phone is dying, and you need to find a place to "charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee." Or, something a little simpler, like asking about public tennis courts that have lights and are available to use tonight.
Anything you ask about will be answered conversationally, just like any other Gemini feature, alongside a customized map that helps you pick out your different options. Responses will include clear directions and ETAs, as well as insider tips from other Maps users.
The results are also personalized based on what Maps already knows about you — meaning Ask Maps shouldn't offer anything outrageously unsuitable. So, if you only eat at vegan restaurants, it's not going to direct you to a steakhouse, and things like that.
Ask Maps is rolling out to Android and iOS in both the U.S. and India right now.
Immersive Navigation
Next up is Immersive Navigation, which promises a "complete transformation of the navigation experience" thanks to new visuals and more intuitive directions. This is supposed to help you stay focused as you're driving, while still being informed about what's going on around you.
Google Maps is going to change to offer a 3D view of the world around the road, such as buildings and overpasses, while highlighting the crucial road details ahead of you — including lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights and stop signs. Those buildings are transparent too, so they shouldn't get in the way of the actual navigation.
Gemini actually powers this new "spatial understanding" of your route, as Google is calling it. Google Maps is basing its information on Street View and aerial photos to make Google Maps more visually appealing and informative.
But there's more to this than just looks, according to Google. You'll now be able to see more of your route, with smart zooms and transparent buildings helping to highlight difficult areas in advance.
More natural voice guidance
Voice guidance has also been updated to be a little more natural, rather than the flat, robotic GPS voices we've been hearing for the past 20+ years, and will highlight various visual cues to help you prepare for the next stage of navigation.
Google Maps will also ensure you know all the pros and cons of alternate routes before you take them. So if there's a different route with less traffic, but more physical distance involved, you can decide whether that's worthwhile. The same goes for any faster routes that may have things like tolls.
Other useful features coming as part of this update include real-time disruption alerts on your route, and the ability to preview your destination with Google Street View. Part of that also includes Maps highlighting building entrances, nearby parking and the side of the street you'll need to be on.
Immersive Navigation starts rolling out today to users in the U.S., including those with iOS, Android, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with Google built-in.
