Google Maps’ Gemini-powered chat feature, Ask Maps, is now available globally after launching in March. The tool is now accessible in over 150 countries, including major markets such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Positioned under the search bar, Ask Maps offers a range of assistance including directions, travel planning, and real-time suggestions.
One of the key updates is its new ability to access Personal Intelligence features. These include data from the Gemini app and AI Mode. This involves integrating with your Gmail account. It detects upcoming flight or dinner reservations. It provides relevant suggestions. It does this without needing you to explain every detail. For instance, if you’re traveling, you could ask, “What can I do near my hotel before my flight?” Ask Maps would suggest nearby options. These are based on your confirmed itinerary. Users must manually enable this feature. It will soon expand to include Google Calendar and other apps.
Chat remembers your past plans
Ask Maps now keeps track of past conversations, making it easier to resume planning if you enable History settings. For example, if you previously discussed activities in Seattle, you can now ask, “What did I plan?” and Ask Maps will instantly bring up your saved suggestions. This eliminates the need to start from scratch when revisiting travel plans.
Transit, food, and hotels now in chat
The tool now provides real-time transit data. It covers various services like buses, trains, subways, and ferries. If you’re in Sydney, you might ask, “Is there a ferry to Taronga Zoo with views of the Opera House?” Ask Maps will update live. It does this if delays occur. Additionally, Ask Maps can now assist with food orders. It helps with hotel bookings and finding local events. For instance, you could ask it to find spicy pad kee mao seafood. You might want it on your way home from work. You could also ask for a well-rated, reasonably priced hotel in downtown Miami. It should have a walkable gym and dining area.
Users can edit maps through chat
In the Contribute tab, users can now suggest changes to maps by chatting. You might state, “More parking is available behind the building,” or even upload a photo of a storefront sign. Maps will analyze the image for updated hours and ask for confirmation before submitting your suggestion.
For food orders and hotel bookings, Ask Maps works with platforms such as Square and Toast at launch, with Uber Eats support coming soon. Ask Maps can complete multi-step tasks, such as ordering a meal for you on your way home. Google says you can simply say something like 'order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home,' and Maps will find open restaurants along your route, let you pick one, and add the dish you asked for to your cart so you can review it and check out. These features are rolling out in the U.S. first, while the transit and travel tools will gradually expand to all countries where Ask Maps is available. Ask Maps is also available on the web and in the Google Maps app for iOS.
