On March 27, Google Maps announced an upcoming update that uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to improve trip planning for users.
This week, over 40 cities across the US and Canada will gain access to new features that will empower you to find exciting places to visit.
This update introduces three key features aimed at streamlining the process of discovering new places.
Picks for you
Let’s explore how these features can enhance your travel planning experience.
Google Maps gets smarter with AI
With Google’s AI-powered Maps, you can quickly understand a place and its highlights.
Simply pull up a location on Maps and you’ll find short summaries of what people liked about it, such as a restaurant’s renowned tacos or the relaxed bar atmosphere.
While browsing food photos at a restaurant, AI can identify the dishes and offer menu details such as pricing, popularity, and dietary options like vegetarian or vegan choices.
This assists in making an informed decision about whether to make a reservation or not.
Finding inspiration
Google is trying out a new AI feature in Search. It makes sample travel plans when you search for trip ideas.
These plans include flights, hotels, things to do, and places to eat, all suggested by AI. You can save them to Gmail, Docs, or Maps for easy planning.
This feature is still being tested, but it could change how we plan trips.
Google is also inviting users to submit their own curated lists on [email protected], for the opportunity to be included within the app.
AI powered trip lists
Have you ever created a long list of places to visit, only to forget about many of them when you arrive?
Users can now create and personalize lists, while AI analyzes photos and reviews to provide quick summaries of what makes each place special.
You can organize them chronologically to plan the perfect itinerary or rank them based on your preferences after your visit to create an “best of” list.
The ability to link social media content to your lists, such as a review you wrote about a fantastic meal, will also be included in this update. This lets you showcase why a particular place deserves a spot on your list.
The update is scheduled for a global launch on Android and iOS devices by the end of the month.
A fresh look at Google Maps
Besides AI, Google is also improving Maps in general with fresh design updates, providing the platform with a modern and updated appearance.
It remains to be seen whether this makeover truly simplifies navigation or simply adds a fresh coat of paint.
Overall, these updates aim to transform Google Maps into a more comprehensive trip planning and exploration tool, potentially streamlining the process from initial inspiration to creating a smooth travel experience.
Will these new features make Google Maps your go-to app for trip planning?
