The integration of Gemini, the AI developed by Google, transforms Google Maps into a sophisticated personal assistant. You will be able to request personalized recommendations based on your preferences. For example, by asking “activities this afternoon with family in Marseille”, the application will generate a list of relevant places, accompanied by detailed information such as opening times and prices. This new feature simplifies outing planning by offering tailor-made options, and giving you lots of ideas you might not otherwise have seen.
Gemini integration allows Google Maps to answer specific questions about properties in real time. Among the examples shown by Google in its official announcement, we notably have the presence of parking spaces, outdoor terraces or the general atmosphere of a restaurant. The AI analyzes all online reviews (via Google My Business) and provides concise summaries, saving you from going through long lists of comments.
Furthermore, the update introduces significant improvements to navigation. Google Maps now displays points of interest along your routesuch as tourist attractions or restaurants, making it easier to discover new places. Additionally, the app provides more accurate guidance on lane changes, the presence of pedestrian crossings and weather conditions in real time, contributing to safer driving.
Waze: Simplified incident reporting thanks to AI
Waze, Google’s other navigation application, also benefits from big new features. The introduction of the “Conversational Reporting” functionality allows drivers to report traffic incidents using natural voice commands. For example, by saying “There’s a traffic jam,” Waze’s AI interprets the statement and generates a real-time report on the map, without requiring specific commands or additional manipulations. This is a real gain in terms of security when using the application, and it eliminates one of Waze’s major flaws.
This innovation aims to make incident reporting more intuitive and secure, minimizing distractions for the driver. Additionally, Waze introduces school zone alerts to the map, reminding drivers to use caution when approaching these sensitive areas.
All these new features are gradually being deployed on the Android and iOS versions of Google Maps and Waze. Hopefully most of the functions will be available in France.