Announced earlier this month alongside “Immersive Navigation,” Google Maps also added a new Gemini-powered “Ask Maps” feature which, as of this week, is widely available in the US and India to all users.
In a post on Twitter/X, Google confirmed that “Ask Maps” is now widely available to all Maps users in the US and India. The rollout appears to have picked up over the past week, as we saw the feature go live on our devices just prior to the weekend, and user reports surfaced around the same time.
“Ask Maps” was announced as a conversational tool that allows users to get answers to “complex, real-world questions a map could never answer before.”
Beyond confirming the wide rollout, Google also shared a few prompts you could use with “Ask Maps” and their results, including:
- “I’m going out on a date tonight and need ideas – no overhyped places. It should be in between home and work, have a romantic vibe, good food, and have a cool lounge nearby for after.”
- “I’m taking myself on a solo date. Where’s a good bar within 1 mile that’s not too busy? No trivia or live music, dark, booths, good for reading a book.”
- “I want to take a photo of the NYC skyline. Based on the sun’s position right now, suggest a rooftop or park where the sun will be behind the camera, not blinding me.”
- “I want to walk/run from the French Quarter to the Low Battery this evening. Create a route that hits the most ‘scenic’ spots. Time it so I arrive at the Low Battery right at sunset.”
- “Inspire me with some ideas for my three day trip to Boston. Recommend activities for historical and cultural exploration, authentic hidden gems, and shopping.”
- “Find me a place for dinner less than 20 mins from home that’s highly rated, has a table for 4 tonight, and an outdoor patio.”
“Ask Maps” can be accessed directly under the search bar in Google Maps on Android and iOS in the US and India, but not other regions. The feature will come to desktop eventually, but is not available just yet.
More on Google Maps:
- Android Auto brings Google Maps EV trip planning to 350+ models from 16 brands
- How to find gas prices with Google Maps
- ‘Immersive Navigation’ is the biggest Google Maps driving update in a decade
Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments