Another huge Pixel Watch 5 leak showcases everything from design to health features

Google has unveiled new features for its Ask Maps service, which may generate more buzz than the upcoming Pixel smartphone release. The expanded capabilities, powered by Gemini, enable users to more easily order food, book hotels, and find attractions. In English, Ask Maps is now available in over 150 countries.

During a press event, Google showcased agentic food ordering, where users can request specific dishes like oat milk lattes and avocado toast from nearby restaurants, with the AI compiling an order for review before payment. Hotel booking and attraction searching have also been enhanced, with users able to plan a trip to a new city with fewer clicks.

Additionally, Google introduced Personal Intelligence, a Gemini-powered assistant that integrates with Gmail to help users plan outings, such as finding restaurants near a hotel for an upcoming trip. While Google has not disclosed the number of partners integrating with Ask Maps, the service is currently partnered with Toast for food ordering, and Booking.com and Expedia for hotel booking.

These AI-powered features for Google Maps are being unveiled ahead of Google's annual hardware event, Made by Google, where the company is set to showcase its latest hardware products. Despite incremental upgrades to its smartphones, Google is focusing on enhancing the intelligence of its ecosystem.