Google is integrating its powerful Gemini AI model into its popular apps, Google Maps, Waze, and Google Earth, offering users more personalized and interactive experiences. From AI-powered recommendations to enhanced reporting features, these new capabilities highlight the growing role of AI in everyday life.
Prominent investor Ashish Kacholia missed his flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai due to inaccurate travel time estimates from Google Maps, highlighting the city’s notorious traffic challenges. The incident sparked online discussions about Bengaluru’s infrastructure and the reliability of navigation apps.
Google Maps and Waze, both owned by Google, are getting significant updates to improve navigation for drivers. Google Maps will provide better building entry and parking guidance, while Waze introduces new incident reporting capabilities and event-specific information. Both apps also introduce new safety features.
Traffic violators in Bengaluru are using Google Maps to avoid fines, with anonymous users marking locations where police officers typically stop vehicles. This unique challenge for the traffic police has sparked amusement and raised questions about the unintended consequences of technology.
Two men narrowly escaped death after their car plunged into a river in Kerala while following directions from Google Maps. The incident highlights the potential dangers of relying solely on navigation apps, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Apple Maps has finally implemented the highly requested ‘Search Here’ feature in iOS 18, allowing users to search for locations directly on the map. This long-awaited addition brings Apple Maps closer to the functionality of Google Maps, which has offered this feature for years. Along with the ‘Search Here’ button, Apple Maps also receives numerous UI enhancements, improved hiking features, and offline support. The new iOS 18 update, expected in September, will be available for most iPhone models starting from the iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation.
A group of tourists from Hyderabad drove into a rain-swollen stream in Kerala after relying on Google Maps for directions. While all four tourists escaped unharmed, their vehicle was submerged underwater. This incident highlights the potential dangers of using navigation apps during heavy rainfall, especially in unfamiliar areas.
Google Maps has undergone a significant redesign, introducing a simplified interface, new features, and quality-of-life improvements. The bottom navigation bar now features three tabs: Explore, You, and Contribute, replacing the previous five tabs. The Explore tab remains focused on discovering new places, while the Contribute tab enables users to share reviews and photos. The new You tab combines Saved places and the Notifications feed, streamlining access to important information. Additionally, the new sheet-based interface enhances usability by displaying more information on the map without obscuring it. The redesign also includes improved search functionality, redesigned Arrival cards, and easier sheet closing. These changes follow Google’s recent update to the Saved tab, making it easier to create and share lists, with an emphasis on travel planning.
Google has announced a range of new AI-powered features for its Search and Maps services, designed to make it easier for users to find information and navigate the world around them. These new features leverage the company’s advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide more personalized and contextually relevant experiences.
