Google's Gemini-powered assistant, Ask Maps, has transitioned from a conversational search tool to an active agent capable of executing real-world multi-step tasks. The most significant update is the introduction of agentic capabilities, allowing users to order meals directly through the app while on their way home.
Autonomous Ordering and Bookings
Ask Maps can now handle the food ordering workflow: users simply request a dish, and the AI identifies open restaurants along their route, selects a venue, and populates the shopping cart for final checkout. This feature is currently rolling out via partners Square and Toast, with Uber Eats integration coming soon. The assistant also handles real-time price comparisons for hotels and event discovery.
Google Maps now highlights 'Popular dishes' with images - 9to5Google — https://9to5google.com/2019/05/30/google-maps-popular-dishes/
Gmail Integration via Personal Intelligence
The introduction of Personal Intelligence allows an opt-in connection between Maps and Gmail. This enables the AI to factor in upcoming flights or dinner reservations, providing proactive suggestions without explicit prompts. This move aligns with Google's broader strategy to consolidate its AI offerings under the Gemini brand.
Live Transit Monitoring
A new transit widget transforms the Ask Maps chat into a virtual departure board. It provides up-to-the-minute updates on delays for buses, trains, subways, and ferries. Additionally, Google has upgraded its Travel Time API to improve ETA accuracy in dense urban environments by up to 15%.
The Expanding Gemini Ecosystem
The Maps overhaul is part of a wider push to embed AI across all surfaces. While Chrome for Android introduces dedicated Gemini shortcuts, Google is also integrating software creation tools directly into the main assistant. To facilitate these agentic workflows, Google has released google/skills on GitHub, providing a framework for integrating agents with Google technologies.
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