Google rolled out a major update to Maps on Thursday, adding several new features that make the app even more powerful.
The company has been working hard to bring AI smarts to its tools in recent months, and so it’s no surprise to see Google Maps getting some attention in this area.
For example, the new Immersive View for Routes feature uses AI to bring up detailed previews of planned trips.
“Let’s say you want to bike along the water to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco,” Google’s Chris Phillips said in a blog post outlining the new features. “Simply request cycling directions, then tap the Immersive View preview to see your route from start to finish in a stunning, multi-dimensional view.”
Phillips adds: “You can prepare for each turn as if you were there with detailed, visual turn-by-turn directions, and time to plan based on useful information like simulated traffic and weather conditions Use the slider to decide when to exit. This way, you can easily avoid riding during rainy season or heavy traffic.”
Google CEO Sunar Pichai also highlighted the new feature in a post on social media on Thursday:
Immersive views for Routes are launching this week to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice, with more to come. Cities included. Added over time.
Google has also launched Lens in Maps, a more advanced version of the existing Search with a Live View feature. Lens in Maps uses AI and augmented reality to help you orient yourself when you arrive at a new destination. You can do this by simply selecting the lens icon in the search bar and raising your handset to find information about amenities like ATMs, transit stations, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores.
The app is getting more detailed navigation maps for an even more intuitive user experience, and is doing more for electric-vehicle drivers by adding additional charging station information, including whether the charger is compatible with their vehicle. and whether the available chargers are fast, medium, or slow will help you find a charging station that best meets your needs,” said Phillips.
Finally, Maps’ search function is getting a boost. Phillips explains: “Now, when you search for specific things in Maps like the best place to find ‘animal latte art’ or ‘pumpkin patch with my dog,’ you’ll see a photo-first view of what you’re searching for. Will get results. These results are based on analysis of billions of photos shared by the Google Maps community – all done with AI and advanced image recognition models. With this visual list of places, you can discover new places that match exactly what you’re looking for. Simply scroll through the results, tap the photo to learn more, and navigate there. Users in France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US can try the new Google Maps search feature starting this week.
