Google rolls out new Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation features for Maps
Google has announced two new features for Maps, Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation. According to the big G, these features are their biggest navigation upgrade in over a decade, and should make driving more intuitive when on the road.
The first of these is Ask Maps. According to Google, this is a conversational feature, which is to say that you can quite literally ask Maps questions like “My phone is dying — where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?” or “Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?”. Simply tap the Ask Maps button and you can get your questions answered along with a map to show you your options.
Ask Maps tailors its recommendations based on your past searches and saved locations, helping you discover spots that match your preferences more accurately. For example, if you mention that friends are meeting you after work and you’re looking for a cozy place for four, it can factor in your liking for vegan options and suggest convenient midway venues that fit the vibe. Once you’ve picked a location, it streamlines the next steps by letting you book reservations, save or share places, and quickly access directions so you can get there without hassle.
At time of writing, Ask Maps has begun rolling out to users in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS, with desktop coming soon.
The second new feature for Maps meanwhile is called Immersive Navigation. Google calls this their biggest update to Maps in over a decade, with a complete transformation of the navigation experience.
The map will now be rendered in 3D, showing you buildings, overpasses and the terrain around you while highlighting details such as lanes, traffic lights and crosswalks. Google says that this spatial understanding of your route was made possible thanks to their Gemini models, which worked to process Street View imagery and aerial photos for an accurate view of your route.
Immersive Navigation also offers a wider view of your route with intelligent zoom and clearer visuals to help you anticipate turns and lane changes, alongside more natural voice guidance that sounds like a friend giving directions. It also provides insights on alternate routes by highlighting trade-offs such as longer but less congested options or faster routes with tolls, while keeping you informed of real-time disruptions like accidents and roadworks. You can even preview destinations with Street View and let it suggest you parking spots, and guide you to the right entrance.
Once again though Malaysians will need to wait, as Immersive Navigation has just begun rolling out across the U.S. with availability expanding over the coming months to eligible iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with Google built-in.
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