Google Maps has got a major update in India. It now has Gemini integration for easier navigation and has collaborated with Indian authorities to enable safety-focused features. Let’s navigate them all.
Google Maps’ Gemini Makeover
- Google Maps will now provide the “first hands-free, conversational driving experience” with Gemini. So, finding places along your route or getting answers about the destination will become a lot convenient. Gemini can also connect to Gmail and Google Calendar to add a calendar event for a place you are supposed to visit soon. Of course, it will take the necessary permissions.
- With Gemini’s help, Google Maps will provide tips and “insider” information about a place you are searching and planning to visit. This can help you explore the new place with much more convenience.
- There’s also an option to ask further questions about a place and get relevant information in a snap.
Google Maps New Traffic and Safety Features
- Google Maps will now show proactive traffic alerts even before you have entered the traffic area. You will be notified of major disruptions on the route and get the ETA (including the delay time). This is quite handy for the traffic situation in India, especially in Gurugram and Bengaluru. The feature will roll out to Android users soon, but there’s no word on its iOS availability.
- The app will also alert you to accident-prone areas, visually and through voice, to help you stay safe. The feature will be available to Android users in Gurugram, Cyberabad, Chandigarh, and Faridabad.
- Google Maps will also show the official speed limit, taken from local traffic authorities. This will be available for both Android and iOS users in 9 Indian cities: Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad (including Cyberabad), Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Noida.
- Google has also collaborated with NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) to show data on road closures and repairs, making navigation reliable.
There are a few India-centric features for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and metro commuters:
- Google Maps has the new, fun Navratars for two-wheelers, allowing them to customise their navigation icons for different two-wheeler types, like classic motorbikes, sports bikes, or scooters.
- The app will now support a new voice support for flyovers, providing a hands-free and clearer navigation experience in nine languages. This will specifically help two-wheelers and will be available to Android and iOS users over the coming weeks.
- People can now save their Metro ticket directly to Google Wallet and access it from Maps when needed. This feature is an extension of Google Maps’ collaboration with ONDC for metro booking. It is available in Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, and Chennai, and will launch in Mumbai soon.
All these new Google Maps updates will reach people soon.
