Google Maps is no longer just Ask Maps

Google has just announced a new feature called Ask Maps, an AI assistant solution integrated directly below the search bar of the Google Maps app. Using the AI model platform Gemini, Ask Maps allows users to communicate and search entirely in natural language instead of having to enter discrete keywords as before.

Ms. Miriam Daniel, Vice President and General Manager of Google Maps, stated that this feature operates based on a vast database of over 300 million locations, along with contributions from more than 500 million users, helping to provide personalized suggestions accompanied by visual maps.

Addressing complex questions and multi-step processes

The most notable upgrade of Ask Maps is its ability to handle detailed requests and execute a sequence of actions:

• Context-specific searches: Users can ask detailed questions such as finding a phone charging station without waiting in line or looking up sports fields with lights for nighttime use.
• Automating service bookings: When users want to order food on their way home, Ask Maps will scan for open restaurants along the route, filter based on favorites or eating habits, and then automatically add items to the cart on partner apps for users to review and pay.
• Planning accommodations and entertainment: The AI can compare prices, check room availability, and filter hotels by budget, design style, or proximity to gyms. Events and local cultural activities are also compiled based on the customer's specific criteria.

Integrating personal data (Personal Intelligence) and privacy protection

When activated, Ask Maps can connect directly with Gmail and Google Calendar. This allows the system to automatically capture flight schedules or reservation information to suggest activities around the hotel and calculate travel time to the airport without the user needing to re-enter data.

Notably, to ensure information safety, Google has set the Personal Intelligence feature and conversation history memory to OFF by default. Users must manually turn it on if they wish to use these personalized utilities.

Updating public transport and simplifying data contributions

In addition to the conversational assistant, the new update also brings two practical improvements:

• Virtual departure board: Displays real-time schedules for buses, subways, or ferries directly within the chat interface.
• Quick community contributions: Users can report changes to locations by voice or by taking photos of store signs for the AI to automatically update the new opening hours in the system.