Google интегрирует искусственный интеллект Gemini в навигационное приложение Maps, обеспечивая пользователей более интерактивными функциями Translation: Google integrates Gemini artificial intelligence into navigation app Maps, providing users with more interactive features.

Google is enhancing its Maps application using the AI technology Gemini, allowing users to interact with a chatbot by asking questions and assigning tasks.

During travels, users can ask Gemini about points of interest along their route or discuss various topics such as sports or the news. Additionally, users can request the AI to perform specific actions, like adding an event to their calendar.

The neural network can respond to multiple related questions at once, for instance:

«Are there any affordable vegan restaurants on my route within a couple of kilometers? What’s the parking situation like?»

Drivers can inform Gemini about road incidents, and Maps will proactively alert users about disruptions on their upcoming routes.

Google is introducing a feature in Maps that integrates AI with Street View, enhancing navigation suggestions. Instead of the usual instruction like «turn left in 500 meters,» the app will suggest nearby landmarks such as gas stations, restaurants, or iconic buildings.

Gemini matches information on 250 million locations with Street View images to identify important and noticeable landmarks for navigation.

Thanks to its integration with Google Lens, the maps can now answer questions about the surrounding area. For example, users can point their camera at interesting objects and ask questions like «What is this place and why is it popular?»

The new navigation features will roll out on iOS and Android in the U.S. in the coming weeks, followed by Android Auto.

Along with enhancing Maps, Google has streamlined access to the AI Mode on mobile devices. A special button has been added beneath the search bar when a new tab is opened in Chrome.

The tool was initially launched in the U.S. and will soon be available in 160 countries.

AI Mode, introduced in March, allows users to pose complex questions for in-depth topic exploration directly within Google Search. It simultaneously processes several interconnected queries from different sources, organizing the information into a single, coherent response.

This AI Mode is regularly updated with new features. In August, the corporation added support for booking functions, allowing users to make restaurant reservations.

The service enables users to craft requests considering various preferences such as group size, date, time, location, and preferred cuisine. The tool analyzes real-time availability of venues and suggests suitable options.

Since Apple currently lacks its own powerful AI, the company is turning to competitors. Bloomberg reported that Apple is close to finalizing an agreement with Google, under which the iPhone developer would pay $1 billion annually to integrate a special version of Gemini into Siri.

Apple plans to utilize Google’s model until its own AI becomes sufficiently capable.

The company considered alternatives from OpenAI and Anthropic but ultimately chose Gemini after testing all three solutions.

The revamped Siri is expected to debut in spring 2026, though plans may change, as noted by Bloomberg.

In November, Google unveiled a plan for a space-based AI hub, intending to create a system of satellites in low Earth orbit to harness solar energy and power data centers.