Google Maps is introducing a generative AI feature to help you discover new places, the company announced today. Using large language models (LLMs), the new feature analyzes the over 250 million locations on Google Maps and contributions from over 300 million Local Guides to pull up suggestions based on what you’re looking for. For instance, […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google Tuesday introduced a range of new features and updates for its mapping service in India as it wraps up for the year and sets the base for the coming year. One of the latest in the series of new additions is Lens in Maps, which will be launching in 15 cities across India by […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google Maps is getting a few new updates, including a social feature that is designed to help people plan and collaborate with their friends. The navigation platform is also adding improved transit directions and emoji reactions. The new social feature is designed to take planning out of your group chat and into Google Maps. The […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

Google Maps will soon allow users in India to book metro tickets directly through the mapping app, the search giant announced as it deepens collaboration with the country’s open e-commerce network.  At the Google for India event on Thursday, Google said its users will be able to book metro tickets through the Maps app, as […] © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only ..read more

A group formed by Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and mapping company TomTom is releasing data that could enable developers to build their own maps to take on Google Map and Apple Maps, The group, called the Overture Maps Foundation, was formed last year. Today, the group has released it first open map dataset. With this dataset, third-party developers can build mapping or navigation products of their own to crack the Apple-Google duopoly. The data includes 59 million “points of interest,” such as restaurants and landmarks, along with information about transportation networks and administrative bounda ..read more

Google announced today that Chrome on iOS is getting a few new features, including built-in Lens support that will allow users to search using just their cameras. Although you can already use Lens in Chrome on iOS by long-pressing an image you find while browsing, you will soon also be able to use your camera to search with new pictures you take and existing images in your camera roll. The company says the new integration is launching in the coming months. For context, Google Lens lets you search with images to do things like identify plants and translate languages in real time. Image Credits ..read more

Timed to arrive ahead of the summer travel season, Google’s bringing new features to Maps focused on discovery and navigation. New “glanceable directions,” which Google announced in February, will start rolling out this month in the Maps app on Android and iOS. They’ll let users who opt-in track walking, cycling and driving trip progress from their lock screen or route overview, and see updated ETAs and notifications about where to make each turn. Image Credits: Google Arriving alongside glanceable directions is updates to Recents on desktop, a shortcut that automatically organizes places yo ..read more

The all-new Acura ZDX EV will be the company’s first auto to feature built-in Google apps. This includes Google Assistant, Google Maps and more through the Google Play store. Let’s be clear. This announcement is not about Android Automotive, Google’s full automotive operating system, nor is this Android Auto, Google’s phone-powered automotive platform. This is Google apps baked into Acura’s infotainment system. It isn’t obvious, I know. Moreover, the Acura ZDX will also feature Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for those owners who prefer those systems. Image Credits: Acura The built-in Google ..read more

Google Maps is going to introduce a new “Immersive View for Routes” feature in select cities, Google announced at its annual I/O conference today. The new feature brings all of the information that a user may need into one place, including details about traffic simulations, bike lanes, complex intersections, parking and more. Immersive View for Routes will start to roll out in the coming months in 15 cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo and Venice. The feature will roll out on both ..read more

Google is introducing new Maps features to make it easier for users to navigate national parks using the app. The tech giant says the new updates are designed to help users find the information they need when visiting a national park, such as discovering things to do and finding your way around the park. With this update, when you search for a trail, Google Maps will highlight the entire route on the map, instead of just a pin. The company says this feature is meant to help people easily identify where a trail ends and starts, and what the route looks like. You’ll also be able to see reviews a ..read more