New things are Chinacoming to Google Maps thanks to Gemini, Google's AI chatbot.
One of the new features is the ability to ask Maps a question and get an answer curated from Gemini.
"Say a friend is visiting, and you need to plan an activity," Google wrote in a blog post about the new features. "Just ask Maps for 'things to do with friends at night' to get ideas curated with Gemini — like checking out a speakeasy or live music. Find out what people like about a place by reading the helpful review summarized with Gemini — especially convenient when you’re pressed for time. If a place catches your eye and you want to learn more about it, like whether it has outdoor seating or a quiet atmosphere, just ask Maps questions to get relevant answers in a snap."
This is one of those features that sounds like it could revolutionize a date night or exploring a new city.
Google is also introducing a way to make driving to your destination easier by exploring places along the way. According to the site's blog, you can navigate to directions and tap "add stops" to discover landmarks, attractions, dining options, and more on your trip. Thus, short drives to the store and long road trips are about to become simpler.
Plus, Google is using Gemini to create "enhanced navigation" that will "show you lanes, crosswalks and road signs clearly on the map. And because no one likes finding out they need to merge at the last minute, we’ll show you exactly which lane you should be in: Just follow the blue line in the lane markers while navigating." You'll even get additional weather information, ideal for a stormy winter.
And once you're at your destination, Google Maps has you covered with additional help finding a parking spot.
You'll be able to check out the new features on iOS and Android later this week, after you update the app.
Topics Google
Fritz vs. Ruud 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
The Sneaky Brilliance of Geoff Dyer’s “Into the Zone”
#ReadEverywhere Photo Contest
At Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop, 22nd & 5th Ave
NYT Strands hints, answers for April 23
Tina Barney’s Embarrassment of Riches by Joseph Akel
The Competing, Indignant Voices in “Rights”
A Friend with a Heart
The Mismeasure of Media
Six Tips on Writing Inspired by My Farmers Market by Ann Beattie
Japan orders Google to stop alleged antitrust violations
Tina Barney’s Embarrassment of Riches by Joseph Akel
Chekhov On: Collection
The Competing, Indignant Voices in “Rights”
Best robot vacuum deal: Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop at record
The Day After
The Competing, Indignant Voices in “Rights”
Notes on H.D. and Her Biographers
Episode 4: The Wave of the Future
Staff Picks: Paul Yoon, W. S. Merwin, Edwidge Danticat
How Singapore companies are offering apartment viewings in VRTokyo ComicThe Microsoft Studio is powerful, but the Surface Dial is the real starA teenager is suing websites for making fun of his mullet with memesHow Singapore companies are offering apartment viewings in VRIt's 2016 but a Singaporean TV show put an actor in blackface3D emoji are coming to Microsoft's new Paint 3DSamsung Pay gets inThe 'Pringles ringle' is a stunning feat of snack engineeringMiss Iceland drops mic after being told she's 'too fat' for beauty pageant'Hearthstone' is teasing its next card expansion around GadgetzanGo from human to superhuman with these DIY Halloween costumesSorry, hipsters: The skinny tie is over'Keeping Up With the Kardashians' resumes production following Kim's Paris robberySamsung's new Note7 update will cripple the phone's battery capacityDraftKings and FanDuel close out final chapter of yearMen's rights documentary screening cut after online backlashThe northern lights might put on a serious show tonightWatch Microsoft's 'Imagine what you'll do' event right hereWho is this mysterious doctor behind Trump and what does he want? The best Snapchat filter for you based on your astrological sign Consumer Reports stands by its verdict, won't recommend Apple's MacBook Pro Costa Rica ran almost entirely on renewable energy in 2016 Facebook Live wants users at any cost—even porn, piracy, and polling People are accusing Kylie Jenner of Photoshopping her butt to sell jeans This app wants to help you invest in companies that align with your morals Facebook Messenger debuts very thirsty New Year's Eve filters 'Halloweentown' actors pay tribute to the great Debbie Reynolds College memories flood Twitter after red Solo cup inventor dies BHIM app will replace all cash transactions in India: PM Modi The 9 most cringeworthy brand fails of 2016 From Bowie to Solange: Here are the top 10 albums of 2016 Obama calling a last minute meeting to save Obamacare Conspiracy theorists think an injured NBA player is another victim of Pizzagate No, the power grid in Vermont was not infiltrated by Russian hackers How to never touch anyone ever again Ronda Rousey lost her first fight in more than a year in just 48 seconds Carrie Fisher's dog Gary is at his new home, but he's not tweeting 13 people who had a great 2016 (and who you can actually be happy for) Sikh NYPD officers finally allowed to wear turbans in 'major change' to uniform policy