Google announced on Thursday that Google Maps is launching two major updates powered by its Gemini AI: a conversational feature called Ask Maps and an enhanced Immersive Navigation experience. The new Ask Maps capability allows users to ask complex, real-world questions using natural language. Instead of simple searches, users can request specific scenarios, such as finding a charging station without long lines or locating a lit public tennis court for tonight. The system also assists in trip planning by suggesting stops between multiple destinations and providing real-world tips, like how to access hidden trails or obtain free entry tickets. These responses are personalized based on the user's search history, saved places, and preferences, such as dietary restrictions or seating requirements. Ask Maps is rolling out immediately in the United States and India for Android and iOS users, with a desktop version coming soon. The Immersive Navigation update introduces a 3D view that displays nearby buildings, overpasses, and terrain to provide a clearer sense of the environment, similar to features found in Apple Maps. The interface highlights critical road details including lane configurations, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs. To help drivers anticipate tricky maneuvers, the app uses smart zooming and transparent building models to improve forward visibility. Voice guidance has been redesigned to sound more natural, offering context-aware instructions like passing an exit to take the next one for a specific highway. Furthermore, the system now explains trade-offs for alternate routes, balancing factors such as time, traffic volume, and toll costs. Real-time alerts for road construction and crashes are also included, utilizing data from both Google Maps and Waze communities. Before reaching a destination, users can preview the location and surroundings using Street View imagery, along with recommendations for parking. As the user approaches, the app highlights the building entrance, identifies nearby parking spots, and indicates which side of the street to position the vehicle on. Miriam Daniel, Vice President of Google Maps, stated that the goal of this redesign was to remove guesswork from the driving experience through fresh, real-time information and intuitive guidance. Immersive Navigation is launching today in the U.S. and will expand to eligible iOS and Android devices, CarPlay, Android Auto, and vehicles with Google built-in over the coming months. These updates build upon Google's integration of Gemini into Maps last year, which already enabled the AI assistant to answer questions about route destinations and improve navigation instructions by referencing local landmarks rather than just distances.