Google Maps to Integrate Gemini AI for Enhanced Location-Based Queries

Google Maps could get its most useful Gemini AI upgrade so far soon to speed up your searches

There's no official word on when the feature will actually go live We've seen a smattering of Gemini AI features added to Google Maps so far, and it looks as though another integration is on the way: a pop-up option to ask the AI model about any location you're looking at on a map. The feature isn't live yet, but code for it was spotted by Android Authority in the latest version of Google Maps for Android. If you invoke Gemini with a place selected in Google Maps, you'll see an Ask about place button above the standard search box. Tap that button, and the location reference is appended to your Gemini search - so you can ask the AI what type of place it is, how to drive there, whether or not it's suitable for families, what its history is, or anything else you like. It's the latest in a series of contextual 'chips' that have been added to the Gemini assistant, which try and anticipate what you're going to search for - you might see a chip displaying Ask about screen or Ask about video, for example, depending on what you're looking at. There's no official word on when this extra Google Maps functionality might go live, but considering the code is in place, it shouldn't take too long to appear. It's the latest example of Gemini getting its hooks deeper into apps from Google and other developers. In recent months we've seen updates enabling Google Gemini to take more control of your smart home, see what's on your phone screen, and summarize your messages in Google Chat so you don't have to read through every single one. Updates are also appearing across apps for photos, music, phone calls, and weather, with extensions linking the AI bot into apps such as Spotify and WhatsApp. It looks as though the influence and reach of Gemini will grow and grow. This is all happening while the tricky issue of AI hallucinations remains a problem: let's hope Gemini doesn't give users any false information about tourist hotspots, famous landmarks, or local coffee shops (maybe double-check the details, just to be sure).

Google Maps may soon let Gemini answer your questions about places

Summary Google is working on contextual Gemini chips for Maps, allowing AI-powered place queries. The "Ask about place" chip will let users ask Gemini questions about locations in real time. The feature is in beta and not widely available yet but could roll out soon. Out of all Google services, Google Maps has seen the least integration with Gemini. While apps like Gmail and even YouTube have picked up AI features over the past few months, Google Maps has mostly been left out -- and honestly, that's not entirely a bad thing. Navigation is critical, and AI mistakes here can have serious consequences. That said, Google finally opened up Maps to Gemini last year, allowing users to search for places using natural language queries. Now, it looks like another much-needed Gemini integration for Google Maps is on the way. Related How to use Google Gemini to plan your vacation Use Gemini for a stress-free trip-planning experience Posts Spotted by app researcher AssembleDebug (via Android Authority), Google appears to be working on contextual Gemini chips for Google Maps. According to the report, when you trigger Gemini while viewing a place in Google Maps, a contextual chip will appear, letting you ask Gemini questions directly about that specific location. When Google Maps is active in the background, and you trigger Gemini with this feature enabled, you'll see a new "Ask about place" chip above the Gemini bar. Tapping it will automatically paste the link of the place into Gemini, allowing you to ask questions about it right then and there. This feature was spotted in the Google app 16.4.35 beta version. Google Maps could finally get the Gemini integration it always needed Close While the feature isn't widely available yet -- AssembleDebug had to manually enable it -- once it rolls out, you'll be able to ask for quick reviews, restaurant recommendations, things to avoid, opening hours, or even simple directions. The report notes that the feature currently doesn't work for cities, but that could change by the time it officially launches. Since the feature can already be manually enabled, the rollout likely isn't far off. We'll keep you posted as soon as it becomes available.

Gemini could soon team up with Google Maps for contextual searches (APK teardown)

The feature is not yet live but is expected to be released soon. Google has been gradually building Gemini into a powerful AI digital assistant. As part of these efforts, the Gemini UI has received a few contextual chips, which add important context to your queries, simplifying the search experience. Google is working on a new contextual chip for Gemini, this time for Google Maps to quickly let you add a location context to your search. The latest Google app v16.4.35 beta adds a contextual chip for Google Maps that allows you to ask Gemini about places you see on your screen. With Google Maps active on your screen, you will soon see a new "Ask about place" chip whenever you trigger Gemini. Tapping on the chip will attach a Google Maps link to the search box, letting you ask contextual queries to the AI digital assistant. We managed to activate the Google Maps contextual chip in Gemini, and here's what it looks like: You can see the feature in action in this hands-on video: In its current iteration, the chip doesn't show up for cities per se, but it shows up for locations within the area. This is possibly a bug that may get fixed by the time the feature is released to users. For now, these contextual Google Maps chips are not live within Gemini. We'll keep you updated when we learn more.