Google Maps gets Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation, Its biggest update in over a decade

Google just pushed what it's calling the biggest update to Maps in over a decade, and it's a two-part thing: first of all,  a conversational AI feature called Ask Maps, and a completely redesigned navigation experience called ‘Immersive Navigation.’ Both are powered by Gemini. Let's get into this article, where I will discuss everything about the latest Google Maps update, including what it does and when it's coming.

Advertisement

Google’s Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation Overview

What Is Ask Maps

Back in November 2025, Google first brought Gemini into Maps in a limited way. Now this update takes it much further. Ask Maps is a full conversational interface built into Maps, and it works like this: instead of typing a keyword and scrolling through results, you just ask what you actually want to know.

You can try this by asking something like, 'Where can I get a quiet table for two near a bookshop on a Sunday afternoon?' or 'Is there a pharmacy open right now within walking distance?, which are questions a standard map search simply can't handle. Ask Maps treats them like a conversation and surfaces relevant places with a customized map view of your options.

How Ask Maps Pulls Its Information

It draws from over 300 million places and reviews contributed by a community of over 500 million Maps users. That's the same data foundation Maps has always had, just now accessible through a conversational layer instead of a search bar.

• Also, read
• OPPO Find X9 Ultra Rumours and Leaks here and points to 200MP Dual Periscope, and 7050mAh Battery

• Huawei Mobile WiFi X launched with 5.3Gbps Download, 12000mAh Battery, and Foldable X Design

Personalization

Similarly, responses are personalized based on your search and save history. If you've looked up or saved vegan restaurants before, and you ask for a spot to meet friends after work, Ask Maps will factor that in without you needing to specify it. The more you use Maps, the more relevant the suggestions get. Once you've found somewhere, you can book a restaurant reservation, and share it with someone, or tap for directions.

Immersive Navigation

3D View and Road Details

The navigation side of this update is a complete visual overhaul of the driving experience. The map now renders a vivid 3D view that reflects actual buildings, overpasses, and terrain around your route. When it's useful, it highlights specific road details like lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs to help you make a turn or merge without second-guessing. Gemini models process fresh imagery from Street View and aerial photos to build this spatial understanding of your route. 

Route View and Voice Guidance

The map now gives a broader view of the route ahead, with smart zoom and transparent building rendering so you can see what's coming before you're already at the turn. Similarly,  Voice guidance has also been rewritten to sound more conversational. 

For alternate routes, Maps now shows you the actual tradeoffs rather than just suggesting a different path. You'll see whether a faster route has a toll, or a longer one has less traffic, and decide for yourself. Moreover, real-time disruptions like road construction and crashes are still flagged, fed by the community of drivers who contribute over 10 million updates every day.

Final Stretch Guidance

Before you leave, you can also preview your destination with Street View. As you approach, Maps highlights the building entrance, nearby parking, and which side of the street it's on. 

Advertisement

Google’s Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation Availability

Google's Ask Maps is rolling out now in the US and India on Android and iOS. Desktop support is coming soon. Whereas, immersive Navigation is rolling out now in the US on iOS, Android, CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Built-in cars. No timeline has been given for other countries yet.

• Meanwhile, check out our review of the Xiaomi Pad 8