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Gemini now automatically starts Google Maps navigation when asking for directions
This is what we're looking for with hands-free experiences
Gemini has been a revelation of minute proportions in the AI landscape. On one hand, it shows that Google is going all-in on artificial intelligence, with the next-gen multimodal AI becoming a major part of Google’s identity. On the other hand, it’s just a rebranding of Google Bard, and it still has many, many kinks that we’re still working through. Gemini will almost certainly replace the tried and true Google Assistant one day, but it’s not necessarily ready to completely replace it and take that next step yet. However, Google’s made micro strides to get there and has updated the way Maps navigation starts when asking Gemini for directions.
Google wants to help plan your next trip with new tools in Maps and Search
AI itineraries in Search and curated lists in Maps, just in time for summer travel season
Generative AI has pervaded nearly every aspect of Google’s business, right from Workspace tools to other core pillars of the business like Search and standalone projects like the Gemini chatbot. Although a lot of details still need to be ironed out, Google seems intent on including its Search Generative Experience (SGE) in Search results by default. To ensure users get the most out of this change, this summer, the company is maintaining the steady cadence of improvements with new capabilities coming to SGE and a few handy tweaks to Google Maps.
Weekend poll: What navigation app do you use?
Google Maps? Waze? Some unnamed third option not available on Android?
If any smartphone feature is underrated, it's built-in GPS. Not even two decades ago, getting to a new location required a pre-planned route, MapQuest printouts, or an expensive single-use display from TomTom or Garmin. These days, every smartphone user on the planet can get wherever they need to be, just by punching an address into the navigation app of their choice. The only variable that really remains is which app you're using.
How to use your Wear OS smartwatch with Google Maps
You can keep your phone in your pocket when using Google Maps on your smartwatch
Along with access to notifications, calls, and health tracking, your Android smartwatch can be a handy add-on for navigating busy city streets through Google Maps. Cyclists and runners can leave their phones at home and follow turn-by-turn directions from their wrists. Whether you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, Google Pixel Watch 2, or another Android wearable, use the steps below to set up Google Maps on Wear OS.
Google Maps vs. Citymapper: Which navigation app takes the win?
What's best for getting from A to B?
Citymapper might not be preinstalled on Android phones like Google Maps, but it's an excellent alternative to Google's flagship mapping app. It provides the information you need to navigate cities, from public transport to safe walking directions. While it shares many of Google Maps' best features, it's a unique application that may serve you better.
Apple’s iOS reigns supreme in the US, but Google Maps is king of navigation apps
Google Maps overwhelmingly dominates the competition
When it comes to the country's most popular phone, Apple has a stronghold on the US market with the iPhone. In 2023, the top seven phones sold around the world were variations of the Apple flagship, and specifically in the United States, iOS overtook Android back in late 2022. Although Google has its work cut out for it in terms of the phone sales race, there is one area — specifically in regard to apps — where it still dominates the competition.
Google Maps is preinstalled on most Android phones, but Waze is a popular alternative many use for directions. Despite Google owning both apps, they offer different approaches to navigation with unique features that can make one a better choice for your day-to-day traveling. We explain what makes each app unique and why one or the other might be better for your navigation needs. Waze is unavailable on WearOS. If you're considering jumping into the increasingly impressive world of Android smartwatches, stick with Google Maps.
How to report speed traps and hazardous conditions in Android Auto
Android Auto makes it easy to report incidents while driving
Map applications like Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps use crowdsourced data to glean info about road conditions. They also use historical traffic patterns to determine efficient routes and make journeys easier. Community reports inform users about accidents, hazards, speed traps, lane closures, traffic incidents, and road work.
Google Maps tests showing building entrances
You might soon see exactly where you can enter a building
Google Maps has become an invaluable tool to navigate and to find the best spots to eat, get coffee, or to see sights. But with some bigger buildings and attractions, it can get hard to find the entrance. That’s where a new experiment comes in that Google appears to be testing with a few users and buildings, with an icon indicating where to exit and enter a place when it’s selected.
How to change your home address on Google Maps
It'll be handy when you need directions home after a night out
If you recently changed residences, update your home address in Google Maps. You'll find the shortest and most traffic-free routes to and from your home and locate restaurants, attractions, and local businesses in the area. Changing your residences in Google Maps is easy, whether you own a budget Android phone or a top-end device.
How to share your location on Android
Your loved ones won't have to worry about where you are anymore
Have you ever felt like your friends are lost in the sauce trying to find that new, hidden gem of a restaurant? Maps are great, but sometimes they don't cut it, especially if you're parked far away or nothing's familiar. That's where sharing your real-time location comes in handy. It guides your friends to you like a digital compass.
Google Maps is finally making glanceable directions widely available
The changes are rolling out across devices and regions
Google developers have invested significant efforts in improving the navigation experience in Maps throughout 2023, as we witnessed with the journey behind creating Immersive View. Efforts like this make Maps one of our favorite navigation apps on Android, but along the way, it also announced features like glanceable directions, which we haven’t seen on our devices yet. That is changing now, because Google Maps is becoming a lot more useful on your lock screen.
Your Wear OS watch just got a lot more useful for Maps navigation
Google also makes Google Wallet passes support for watches official
Despite Google's renewed focus on Wear OS, there's a functionality difference between many of its mobile and companion smartwatch apps. For example, you can use the Google Wallet app on your Android smartwatch to make contactless payments and show government-issued ID cards. However, support for boarding passes and event tickets was missing. Amid a barrage of Android-related updates at MWC 2024, Google announced two major Wear OS improvements, including one that fixes this annoying Google Wallet limitation.
Google Maps is a fantastic resource for getting quick directions on a Google Pixel phone or whatever phone you prefer (even if it's an iPhone).
How Google Maps shut down scammers and fake reviews with AI in 2023
Google has a new algorithm that catches fakes and spam faster
Google Maps is a big trove of information and data that many people rely on. This makes it a valuable target for scammers, spammers, and for nefarious fake reviews, leading to a constant battle between Google and those bad actors. Thanks to the help of AI, Google thinks it’s coming out on top. The company shared what advances in machine learning it made to improve Maps for everyone in 2023.
Google Maps goes to extreme lengths to create a detailed Immersive View
Cameras on planes, cars, backpacks, snowmobiles, you name it
Google Maps has been working on enhancing the navigation experience through recent changes to the color scheme for water bodies and green zones, and a change to the navigation UI which hasn’t rolled out yet. However, one of the biggest changes in our favorite navigation app came in February last year when Google introduced Immersive View for routes. It’s been a year since its launch, but we finally get to see how the company made it work.
Here's our first look at Google Maps' new generative AI recommendations
AI will guide you to the perfect place for your next outing
Google has invested plenty of resources in revamping its AI efforts since last year. We've already seen integrations within Workspace apps with the help of Duet AI. Not too long ago, the company said it was bringing AI attributes to Google Maps, beginning with Local Guides. We're now getting a first look at how Maps will go about onboarding users to this new feature addition.
Google Maps has been one of our go-to navigation apps on Android for many years, even though it hasn’t been the best at mapping areas. However, Google has kept up the cadence with regular visual updates to ensure Maps stays current, and doesn’t look out of place on the latest Android versions. Recent changes have given us location-specific weather info in the app, and new colors for water bodies and green zones which resemble iOS. Now, Google appears poised to change the layout of navigation options in Maps, which could make the UI easier to understand and interact with.
Google has efficient search tools integrated into most of its apps, and last year’s Multisearch for Lens is a prime example of the company’s general direction. Multisearch allows using multiple mixed media prompts in Lens, such as a combination of an image and text to reduce subsequent Googling and hopping between apps from the same company. Now, Maps for Android is bringing us a change along similar lines — displaying local weather conditions.
Google says Assistant Driving Mode isn't dying, but it sure seems dead to us
Don't worry, Driving Mode's app launcher is just being sent to a nice farm upstate
In a classic case of "Google kills a thing you might be relying on daily," the company recently included Assistant Driving Mode — the one-time replacement for Android Auto on phone screens that lost some serious functionality back in 2022 — on a list of soon-to-be depreciated features. A new banner confirmed as much, warning drivers that "view" would be disappearing in February. A new explanation from Google explains the specific language used for Assistant Driving Mode, but the company's backtrack doesn't exactly spare its car-friendly UI from death.