Google Maps is no longer just an app for finding directions. Google is adding several new AI-powered features that could make Maps more useful for everyday tasks.
With the latest update, users will be able to search for hotels, find food, discover nearby events,
and even get personalized recommendations. Google is also expanding its Ask Maps feature with new agentic AI tools.
Ask Maps Gets More Powerful
Google is expanding Ask Maps, a feature introduced a few months ago.
The upgraded version can help users with tasks such as finding hotels, ordering food, and getting information about local events.
Users will also be able to discover concerts, comedy shows, and other live events nearby. Ask Maps can provide event details and also direct users to ticket-purchasing options.
Google Maps Can Help You Order Food
One of the biggest additions is the ability to get help with food orders directly through Google Maps. Users can simply tell Maps what type of food they are craving.
Google Maps’ AI agents can then find suitable restaurants and help add selected items to the cart. However, the final payment will remain under the user’s control.
This could make ordering food easier, especially when users don’t want to search through multiple restaurants themselves.
Hotel Search Will Become Easier
Google Maps is also becoming more useful for travel planning. Instead of visiting different websites to compare hotels, users can tell Maps what kind of hotel they are looking for.
Maps can search available options, compare prices, and show suitable booking choices. This could save users time when planning a trip.
Personalized Suggestions Using Gmail and Calendar
Google is also bringing Personalized Intelligence to Maps. With permission, Maps can use information from Gmail and Google Calendar to provide recommendations based on a user’s plans.
For example, if you have a conference invitation in Gmail, Google Maps could use that information to suggest hotels near the conference venue.
Similarly, if a trip is saved in your Calendar, Maps could recommend nearby hotels and events for those dates.
Users will need to connect Gmail and Google Calendar to use these personalized features.
Find Concerts and Events Near You
The new Maps experience isn’t limited to travel. Ask Maps can also help users find entertainment options nearby, including concerts, comedy shows, and other live events.
It can provide event information and options for buying tickets, making Maps more useful even when you’re not planning a journey.
New Features Will Roll Out Gradually
These upgrades show that Google wants Maps to become more than a navigation service. The company is turning it into an AI-powered assistant that can help users plan trips, find food, book hotels, and discover things to do.
The new features are expected to roll out first in the US, followed by other markets over time.
