Ask Maps gets more helpful with food ordering and more
From agentic capabilities and real-time information to personalized recommendations, Ask Maps makes it easier than ever to get more done.
Google Maps is introducing a major upgrade to its Ask Maps feature, making it more capable of assisting with a variety of tasks. The new tools include the ability to order food, find hotels, and track real-time transit delays. Users can now connect their Gmail account to receive personalized suggestions based on existing travel plans and reservations.
These enhancements are part of Google Maps' biggest transformation in over a decade, leveraging AI from the Gemini model in conjunction with fresh map data. Ask Maps is now able to handle complex, multi-step tasks, such as ordering takeout from nearby restaurants that fit specific dietary preferences or finding hotels that align with a user's travel itinerary.
In addition to food ordering, Ask Maps can suggest hotels and local events based on user queries. For example, asking "For next week's conference in downtown Miami, find me a decently priced, top-rated hotel with an artsy vibe, within walking distance from a gym and restaurants." The system compares real-time prices and availability to help users make informed decisions.
Personal Intelligence allows users to securely connect their Gmail account (opt-in only) to provide context for relevant suggestions. If a user has upcoming flights or dinner reservations, Ask Maps automatically factors these into its recommendations. For instance, it can provide suggestions for activities near the hotel before a flight.
The update also includes live transit information, with a transit widget providing real-time updates on delays for various modes of transportation. Users can inquire about ferry schedules to popular destinations and receive minute-by-minute updates on wait times. Historical conversation data is retained in Ask Maps, enabling users to quickly recall and revisit previous suggestions.
Google Maps continues to rely on contributions from over 500 million contributors to keep its data accurate and up-to-date. Users can suggest edits conversationally and even upload photos to report changes, such as new restaurant hours. These edits undergo review before being submitted to the community.
The new features, including live transit updates, personalized responses, and remembering past conversations, are rolling out now for users in available regions. Food ordering, hotel and event discovery, and conversational contributions are also available in select countries as part of the rollout.
Written by urgent.news from Google Blog's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
