Google Maps gets its biggest navigation redesign in a decade, plus more AI
Google Maps is about to get more chatty and immersive.
TL;DR
- Ask Maps, a new Gemini-powered conversational AI, allows users to plan trips and ask complex questions within Google Maps.
- Ask Maps uses personal preferences and saved data to tailor suggestions and accepts follow-up prompts for refinement.
- Immersive Navigation is a major redesign of the navigation experience, featuring a new 3D view that more accurately reflects real-life surroundings.
- Immersive Navigation uses Gemini models to glean data from Street View and aerial photography for its 3D mapping.
- The new navigation aims to improve usability by showing more of the route ahead, offering smart zoom, and providing more context for turns.
- Immersive Navigation will also inform users about route tradeoffs, such as traffic or tolls, and assist with finding destinations with Street View imagery and entrance information.
- Ask Maps is rolling out today in the US and India on Android and iOS apps, with a web version coming later.
- Immersive Navigation is also rolling out today on Android and iOS phones, with wider availability on other platforms to follow.