Google Maps now lets you access Gemini while walking and cycling

Google announced connected Thursday that Google Maps users tin present entree Gemini hands-free portion walking and cycling. The update comes a fewer months aft Google Maps rolled retired its Gemini-powered hands-free, conversational driving experience.

The announcement marks Google’s ongoing efforts to plug Gemini into more parts of people’s mundane lives, portion shifting Google Maps from static directions to real-time, conversational navigation.

When you’re walking astir and navigating with Maps, you tin present inquire Gemini questions similar “Tell maine much astir the vicinity I’m in,” “What are immoderate must-see attractions?” oregon “Are determination cafes with a bath on my route?”

Google says that walking and typing tin beryllium hard, which is wherefore it’s rolling retired the quality for users to inquire questions without breaking their stride oregon leaving Maps’ navigation screen.

If you’re cycling, you tin inquire Gemini questions portion remaining focused connected the road, Google says. You tin inquire questions similar “What’s my ETA?” oregon “When’s my adjacent meeting?” Plus, you could inquire Gemini to “Text Emily I’m 10 minutes behind” truthful you tin pass with others portion keeping your grip connected the handlebars.

The diagnostic lets you inquire aggregate questions successful a conversation. For example, you could ask: “Is determination a budget-friendly edifice with vegan options on my route, thing wrong a mates of miles? … What’s parking similar there?”

The update is present disposable worldwide connected iOS wherever Gemini is available, and rolling retired connected Android.

The determination comes arsenic Google precocious updated Maps with caller features, including a Gemini-powered “know earlier you go” tips sections that surfaces important accusation places you’re funny in. For instance, it mightiness archer users the champion mode to publication a reservation, uncover concealed paper items, suggest the champion spot to park, and more.

Additionally, the navigation app besides added an improved Explore tab and a caller EV charger availability prediction feature. The updated Explore tab makes it easier and faster to find trending spots adjacent you, portion the EV charger diagnostic allows users to spot however galore chargers volition apt beryllium disposable erstwhile they get astatine their destination

Thursday’s announcement comes a time aft Google updated Chrome with an enhanced Gemini integration and agentic features for autonomous tasks, arsenic it looks to vie with AI browsers from companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Opera, and The Browser Company. The tech elephantine besides launched a persistent Gemini sidebar and a caller “auto-browse” diagnostic that tin navigate websites connected your behalf.