Google has unveiled its biggest update to Maps in a decade, introducing Immersive Navigation and Ask Maps, both powered by Gemini AI.
Immersive Navigation brings a redesigned driving experience with realistic 3D visuals of buildings, terrain, and intersections. It highlights lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs, while offering natural voice guidance that feels more intuitive.
The system also offers route tradeoffs, including faster options with tolls versus slower ones without, and integrates real‑time traffic data from millions of daily contributors.
Drivers can preview tricky turns with transparent buildings, check parking recommendations, and even see Street View images of entrances before arriving.
Ask Maps, meanwhile, makes searching more conversational. Users can ask natural questions like “Where can I charge my phone without waiting?” or “Is there a tennis court with lights tonight?”
Results are personalized based on saved places, preferences, and reviews from over 500 million contributors. The feature also allows direct actions inside Maps, including booking reservations, saving locations, sharing with friends, and getting directions.
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Both features are rolling out in the United States and India on Android and iOS, with desktop support coming soon. Google says the updates combine Gemini AI with fresh map data to make exploration and navigation simpler.
