AI will help Google Maps plan night walks

Ultimately, this was supposed to happen: Gemini AI is making its way to Google Maps. This will give Maps two main capabilities: curating your activity and answering your queries.

Let’s say your friend is in town and they ask you to meet them. To take the responsibility of being the perfect host off your shoulders, you can now ask Google Maps “what to do in New York City at night with friends” and get a list of places that best match your query. List will contain all the important details like opening hours and prices. You can always change the prompt and generate new listings.

Let’s say you find a place on your list that you want to visit. Previously, tapping on it would give you detailed information about it and a long list of reviews that you could scroll through. Now, Gemini Assistant on Google Maps will summarize all the reviews posted about the place. This way, you can save time reading people’s opinions in a few lines at the top of the page.

Google Maps can also talk to you, just like a regular AI assistant. You’ll now see a question box where you can ask questions about a place, like “Is there parking?” “Is there outdoor seating?” or “What’s the vibe like?” and get answers to all your questions in real time. This will save you the effort of having to look at a bar’s info page or, worse, scroll through reviews to get an answer to your query.

The aforementioned features will be rolling out in the US on Android and iOS this week. The company says review summaries and the ability to ask detailed location questions will also be coming to Google Search “in the coming months.”

To clarify, Gemini's results on Google Maps will be the same as if you asked Gemini on its app. The only big update is that the AI ​​assistant will now live in Maps, so you won't have to switch between apps. Those who are tired of AI being shoved everywhere these days won't be thrilled by these updates. But of course, Google couldn't help but inject the best app of all time with its AI chatbot.

This update also includes several navigation changes. Now, when you enter a destination, you’ll instantly see all the major attractions, landmarks, scenic spots, and eateries along your route, saving you the effort of manually searching for them.

Google will now be better at alerting you to upcoming lane changes while you’re driving. The company says it will help you spot crosswalks and road signs with “improved navigation.” You’ll also be able to see and report weather conditions like flooding, unpaved roads, or foggy roads. The feature comes just in time for the winter months.

Google is also introducing arrival directions in its new updates. Arrival directions are designed to provide a streamlined route from your parking spot to the door of your destination. It will show you where to park, remind you to park, and once you've parked, it will give you directions to the entrance of your destination.

The feature, which will help you learn your route in advance, see and receive weather alerts, and get arrival tips, will all start rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week. The enhanced navigation features on Android and iOS are expected to be available in more than 30 U.S. metro areas next month, with “plans to expand to more locations over time.”