In addition to Gemini for search, summaries, and Q&A, Google Maps for Android and iOS are getting updates to improve the entire driving experience “from start to finish.”
When planning a route, Google Maps is adding a prominent “Add stops” button next to “Start” at the bottom of your screen. This brings up a dedicated “Add stops to your route” sheet.
Besides the “Search along route” field, there are Restaurants, Gas, Coffee, and Grocery chips, as well as carousels for Top restaurants and Points of interest. You can see how far out it is and open the listing before adding the stop.
As you’re driving, you’ll see “enhanced” navigation, with the map doing a better job of surfacing lanes, crosswalks, and road signs. Google will also “show you exactly which lane you should be in” with a “blue line in the lane markers while navigating.”
There’s also the ability to report weather disruptions from the revamped UI like Unplowed road, Low visibility, and Flood road.
Finally, upon journey’s end, arrival guidance, which already marks the building entrance, will show nearby parking lots and prompt you to “Save parking.” You can also quickly get walking directions to the entrance via AR Live View.
The new Add stops experience, reporting weather disruptions, and updated arrival guidance are rolling out globally on Android and iOS this week. Enhanced driving navigation is rolling out to Google Maps next month starting in over 30 metro areas.
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