Ask Maps in Google Maps rolling out Personal Intelligence, real-time transit, global launch

Google Maps' Ask Maps feature is evolving with new updates, including Personal Intelligence, real-time transit information, and global availability. Launched in March, Ask Maps has now expanded to English-speaking countries such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and over 150 others. The chatbot can now incorporate Personal Intelligence, similar to the Gemini app and AI Mode, allowing it to consider a user's upcoming flight or dinner reservations, providing relevant suggestions without the need for explicit explanations.

To enable Personal Intelligence, users must manually activate it within Ask Maps. The feature can also recall past conversations, enabling users to easily continue previous discussions by asking about suggested activities for their trips. Ask Maps can now provide real-time updates on transit options like buses, trains, subways, and ferries, displaying a virtual departure board that adjusts in real-time if there are any delays.

In addition, Ask Maps can now handle complex, multi-step tasks such as ordering food. Users can simply ask for a meal to be picked up on their way home, considering factors like saved places, dietary needs, and available restaurants along their route. The feature currently supports Square and Toast, with plans to include Uber Eats soon.

Ask Maps also offers the ability to book hotels, compare prices and availability, and locate local events. In the Contribute tab, users can now have conversation-based edits like suggesting additional parking options, with the option to upload photos of storefront signs to detect new hours and confirm suggestions. These improvements are rolling out globally for users in the US.