Google Maps has got the latest round of updates getting Artificial Intelligence (AI) features, and Immersive View with local suggestions and more that make it easier for you to navigate through the places of your interest. The latest Google Maps updates give you a much simpler way to search and explore places of your interest in a most straightforward way.
Google Maps has presumably become our favorite digital map. It’s one of the most downloaded and used apps on mobile devices and while that also comes from the app coming by default on Android but still, it’s widely used. From finding places to promoting businesses, and downloading and viewing maps offline, it’s one of our top apps that we frequently use. The introduction of eco-friendly routes, Live View, Street View, etc. has transformed how we interact with the world in its virtual version.
Now, the US tech giant has brought a haul of various new updates including some using AI that makes it more convenient to search and find places, plan our outings, and more exciting things to do. Let’s find out what the latest Google Maps updates have for us and their rollout schedules.
While we see more and more services getting their performance improved from AI, some detractors have reserved their opinion. Check out: Elon Musk Among the Global Tech Leaders Demand AI Development to Stop
Google Maps updates with AI
Before we start exploring new features, we recommend that you update your Google Maps app on your smartphone. If it’s not downloaded automatically, you can go to the Play Store and update the app. Let’s get to searching.
Immersive View for routes to help you find areas before you go
Google has brought Immersive View for routes which brings an entirely new way to preview “every step of your journey”. As Google says, whether you are driving, walking, or cycling, you can explore the place before you visit.
For instance, suppose you are going to a museum in your city. You need to request your route directions and then tap the Immersive View and you get the preview of the route in a “multidimensional view” from beginning to end.
Immersive View starts rolling out this week in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo and Venice. The feature will be available on both Android and iOS.
The feature also includes a tile slider to find simulated traffic and weather conditions for your trip. This helps you avoid congested traffic and overcast or possible rain. Google says that the feature lines with the Immersive View for places and combines AI with billions of Street View and aerial images to explore places and landmarks before a trip.
Besides, developers can make their own immersive experiences with Photorealistic 3D Tiles in the Google Maps Platform starting this very week.
Learn your surroundings better with Lens
The latest Google Maps lets you understand your place better once you get there. If you reach somewhere and want to find a local coffee shop or a restaurant, you will get the recommendations.
The Lens in Maps (Previously Search with Live View) employs AI and augmented reality (AR) that helps you familiarize around quickly. You can find information around the place about nearby ATMs, coffee shops, restaurants, stores, etc.
The Lens in Maps rolls out this week to over 50 new cities including Austin, Las Vegas, Rome, São Paulo, and Taipei.
Do read: Google Finally Registered in Nepal, Will Pay 2 Percent Tax
More details mean more confidence
Google Maps is ready to represent the world as it is, in reality, to help users stay up-to-date and accurate with the exact surroundings. The maps will get updated colors that will show realistic buildings. Likewise, better lane information will keep you more prepared for the riding conditions. When there is a crash or upcoming traffic jams, the maps will be fed to the users in advance. Millions of drivers across the world use Google Maps to get to places.
These new updates make them more confident in reaching their destination. Google says that this particular feature is rolling out in the coming months starting first in 12 countries including the U.S., Canada, France, and Germany. Today, hundreds of millions of drivers depend on Google Maps’ helpful information about real-world conditions, like nearby crashes or upcoming traffic jams.
These updates start rolling out in the coming months in 12 countries, including the U.S., Canada, France, and Germany. In Europe, Google is soon pushing its AI-backed speed limit information to 20 countries which lets users stay within the designated speed even when speed limit signs are hard to spot.
Do read: Daraz Launches ChatGPT-powered Shopping Assistant AskDaraz to feed personalized recommendations
Find more EV charging information
With the new updates, Google is further enhancing its features to help you with EV charging stations. If you drive an electric vehicle, you know how anxious its charging can be. You are on a ride, and the power dies out, it’s the worst situation an EV owner can find themselves in. Google Maps is alleviating this situation.
With Google built-in, the latest Maps updates will show more helpful information about EV charging stations. You would also be able to find out if the charger is compatible with your EV model, and its charging speed. Additionally, you will also find out when a charger was last used. This can be helpful to save your time on going to a station to only be met with a damaged charger.
The new EV charging updates on Google Maps start rolling out globally this week on both Android and iOS. You may also want to explore Apple iOS 17.1
Google says that the EV charging information will be available for developers on the Google Maps Platform. This lets companies provide real-time EV charging station info on their electronic mediums such as web and mobile apps.
Also check out: Google Maps Showing Live Traffic Status & Busy Areas in Nepal
Get inspiration to do your things
Google Maps will now share what you can do in a place you visit when you are unsure. You can discover things to do when you are in a new place. Let’s say, you get an inspiration to do something when you are blank.
For this, you can search in Maps for the best place to find something. In response, Google gives you “photo-first results” of what you might be looking for. The “inspirations” are powered by AI and image recognition models. With the images, you can find the places that match what you are searching for. See: OpenAI Nex-Gen AI-Language Model GPT-4 Which Generates Content Also from Images
The feature starts rolling out this week in France, Germany, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. followed gradually by other countries.
Soon, Google is also issuing a new update that gives you “organized search results” to reflect your imagination. Suppose you are in a city, let it be Kathmandu, and you can search “things to do” to find suggestions to spend your time with. Then you have to tap on the places and learn more. You can also save them to a list to check them out later. Thematic results will roll out globally this week on both Android and iOS.
As Google Maps continues to improve our way of exploring and navigating places, AI will play a significant role in unlocking new and innovative ways to help us maneuver through places.
