Hit the Road This Season With These Useful New Map Features
The recent updates to Google Maps and Apple’s Maps use artificial (and human) intelligence for better navigation, planning and travel guides.
The recent updates to Google Maps and Apple’s Maps use artificial (and human) intelligence for better navigation, planning and travel guides.
Before the holiday travel season gears up, it’s a good time to explore some of the newer and more helpful features in Google Maps and Apple’s Maps.
This year’s versions are using artificial intelligence to create more precise imagery, and to help you learn even more about driving routes and nearby places. In some cases, you can even chat with your maps app about where you’re going.
(Keep in mind that some features are not available for all phones, languages and countries — and always verify A.I.-generated advice.)
Here’s a tour.
Google Maps
Back in March, Google announced an overhaul of Google Maps that incorporates its Gemini A.I. assistant into the apps for Android and iOS, web browsers, and the Android Auto car-dashboard software to assist in planning and navigation.
Google Maps has long offered its Street View and Immersive View options for exploring photorealistic cityscapes, and has been steadily adding 3-D maps. Tap the Layers icon in the upper-right corner of the map and select Satellite. Swipe with two fingers to tilt the map angle. The Immersive View option on a location’s information card also shows a detailed 3-D perspective.
