Google Maps Biggest Update In A Decade Looks Great And Can Even Plan Trips

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Google Maps is getting its biggest update in over a decade as the company is rolling out a new driving experience known as “Immersive Navigation.” It ushers in a new era with a fresh look and useful changes.

The new design immediately stands out as users are treated to a 3D map that uses information from Street View to create a far more realistic rendering of your surroundings. This includes buildings, overpasses, and even landscaping.

More: Google Maps Is Getting A Mind Of Its Own Thanks To Gemini AI

Not only does this look far better than previous maps, but it also promises to help drivers better orient themselves in unfamiliar locations. The new display also highlights important features such as lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs.

While the new design looks great, Google didn’t just throw on a new coat of paint and call it a day. Quite the opposite, as they’re also rolling out a handful of new features.

This includes more natural voice guidance as well as “smart zooms and transparent buildings.” The latter allows users to see through buildings and preview their upcoming route – including complex turns and lane changes – ahead of time.

Another welcome update better explains alternative routes. As Google officials noted in a media briefing yesterday, Maps gets about five million traffic updates every second. This means it’s always looking for ways to give you the best route.

While that’s good, the latest version of maps will show you alternative routes and their tradeoffs. As an example, imagine you’re traveling on the highway, and there’s an accident ahead. While you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Google will tell you about the accident and show an alternative route at the nearest exit.

That doesn’t sound too unusual, but here’s where things get interesting. Maps could explain that this route has less traffic, but would add three minutes to your commute. This enables drivers to choose if they want to get to their destination faster or avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic and the stress that goes with it.

Lastly, drivers can prepare for future trips with a preview function that shows how you’ll get to your destination. On top of this, users can view Street View imagery and get recommendations on where to park.

Immersive Navigation starts rolling out today in the United States, and it will eventually spread to Android and iOS devices as well as vehicles with Android Auto, Google built-in, and Apple CarPlay.

Ask Maps Is Your AI Partner

The other big update is the introduction of Ask Maps, which is powered by Gemini AI. As the name suggests, users will be able to ask questions and get complex answers involving destinations, places to visit, and spots to eat.

That’s useful, but it’s selling the technology short, as it can be used to help plan multi-day vacations. As an example, let’s say you’re going on a three-day trip visiting the Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Coral Dunes.

Ask Maps can recommend an ideal route as well as stops along the way. It will also provide pictures as well as route information, such as tolls. During yesterday’s preview, Maps even suggested ‘insider tips’ such as avoiding certain parking lots that are typically full.

To help come up with these suggestions, Maps analyzes information from the web as well as their database of over 300 million places. The technology also factors in reviews from more than 500 million contributors.

Ask Maps even knows a little bit about you from previous Google Maps searches and saved spots. This helps to personalize recommendations based on things you already like or are interested in.

As an example, you could say something along the lines of “My friends are coming from Midtown East to meet me after work. Any spots with a cozy aesthetic and a table for 4 at 7 tonight?” Since Maps already knows what kind of restaurants you like, it will suggest options that are right up your alley. You can even book reservations from the app and share details with your friends.

In essence, Maps is becoming smarter, more conversational, and can help you pick destinations. The possibilities are virtually endless, and officials noted they want to connect users with the best solution they’re looking for.

Ask Maps is rolling out now in the United States and India on Android and iOS devices, while desktop functionality is coming soon.