Google Maps is rolling out new AI-powered features in the U.S., thanks to its Gemini model. These features enhance users’ navigation and exploration experience. Users can now rely on AI to discover new places, answer location-based questions, and get curated suggestions.
For example, you can ask, “What’s fun to do with friends at night?” and Gemini will suggest options like speakeasies or live music venues, complete with user reviews and additional information.
To improve navigation, Maps will now display lanes, crosswalks, and road signs, guiding drivers on which lane to use and highlighting major landmarks along routes. After reaching your destination, the app will assist with parking locations, saving your parking spot, and even offer AR navigation from your car to the entrance.
Other updates include weather alerts for road disruptions and an expanded Immersive View feature, adding 3D models for 150 global cities, including Brussels, Kyoto, and Frankfurt. Google also shared plans to bring Gemini-powered voice reporting to Waze, allowing users to easily report traffic incidents by voice, saying things like, “There’s a jam up ahead.”
These updates aim to set Google Maps apart from competitors like Apple Maps, offering a more intuitive, AI-driven navigation experience.
