Over the past year, Google has added multiple AI-powered features to Maps to improve discovery and enable users to ask questions about places. Now the company is upgrading the app with Gemini to let users ask the AI bot questions while driving, improve navigation and perform more tasks.
While driving, users can now ask Gemini to answer questions about points of interest on their route, return results on other topics (like sports or news), and even perform tasks like adding events to their calendar.
You can also ask multiple questions in one chat. for example, “Is there an affordable restaurant with vegan options along my route, something within a few miles? … How’s the parking there?”
Drivers can even report traffic incidents using Gemini, and Maps will proactively alert users to disruptions on their route.
Google is also adding a new feature to Maps that combines Gemini with Street View data to improve navigation directions. So instead of telling you to turn right after, say, 500 feet, Maps will now report a nearby landmark, such as gas stations, restaurants, or famous buildings, and highlight them before you need to make the turn.
The company said Gemini cross-references information on 250 million places with Street View images to identify important and visible landmarks to navigate.
Maps also has the ability to answer questions about your surroundings by working with Google Lens. So you can point the camera at points of interest, like restaurants and attractions, and ask questions like, “What is this place and why is it popular?”
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Google said the new Gemini navigation features will roll out to iOS and Android devices in the coming weeks, and said support for Android Auto will be available soon. Traffic alerts are rolling out to the US first for Android users. Landmark Navigation will currently only be available in the US on both iOS and Android. and Lens with Gemini will launch in the US later this month.
