Google Maps can now give directions based on real landmarks, such as gas stations, restaurants, or well-known buildings, and not just standard «turn left in 500 meters». For example, you might hear: «turn right at the gas station» or «across from the restaurant». This greatly facilitates understanding the route under real conditions.
Gemini replaces Google Assistant in navigation mode. The assistant is available through an icon on the screen or voice activation with the phrase «Hello, Google». You can ask it questions about places along the route: where to eat, what dishes are popular at this venue, whether there are parking spaces nearby, and if you can charge an electric car there.
Google Maps now uses Gemini for proactive notifications about traffic conditions. Google claims that these notifications «can even come in when you are not using navigation».
Gemini not only helps find places but also manages complex requests. For example: «Find a cheap restaurant with vegan dishes two miles away from me. How about parking there?» — and starts navigating. At the same time, you can ask to add an event to the calendar, such as soccer practice for tomorrow — and Gemini does this automatically.
The features of Gemini will be «gradually rolled out over the course of this month» for Maps users with Android and iOS devices in the US. It is expected to appear on Android Auto in the future.
Source: Google