The Sundarban
Published Jan 29, 2026, 5:41 PM EST
Dave Schafer is a passionate storyteller and tech enthusiast. He’s been writing professionally since 2014 and has lined a broad range of issues, from cable and cyber web suppliers to VPNs to web cyber web hosting. Dave’s work has been featured on publications like All About Cookies, SatelliteInternet.com, and HighSpeedInternet.com, among others.
As a writer, Dave enjoys taking advanced issues and making them understandable and relatable to everyday readers — whether that’s exploring the intricacies of a VPN or helping somebody resolve a greater piece of software.
When now not writing, Dave enjoys spending time along with his family, working, playing the guitar, camping, and serving in his community. His favorite place is the Blue Ridge Mountains, and one day he hopes to retire there (with a little bit of luck his fear of heights will have retired by then, too!).
Summary
Gemini in Google Maps now helps walking and biking navigation.
Features embrace context-aware answers and landmark-based flip-by-flip guidance.
Google is rolling the features out now to users worldwide.
Back in November, Google announced that Gemini was coming to Google Maps. Up except now, this functionality has been small to utilizing, but today, Google announced that these useful Gemini features are now available for walking and biking, as successfully.
What can Gemini achieve in Google Maps?
Google claims that the employ of Gemini in Google Maps is like talking to a friend — that can be taking it a step too far. Then again, its features in Maps are gorgeous useful.
Ask questions about your route
Essentially, you can just ask Gemini whatever questions you have, and the assistant will provide you with detailed answers, related to the place you’re headed and what’s around you. A few of the examples given by Google embrace:
Asking about the neighborhood you’re in
Asking about local landmarks value making an attempt out
Getting restaurant recommendations along your route
What’s fascinating is the direct integration into Maps and how detailed your questions can obtain. For example, in the event you’re walking downtown, you may ask if there are any Mexican or Thai restaurants along your route, then ask about popular dishes, and then ask to add the restaurant to your route and ship a text to your friend about it. Or now not it is all handled conversationally, so it feels natural. Or now not it is already hard to leave Google Maps, and this can make it even more durable.
Recuperate flip-by-flip directions
Here is probably one in all probably the most useful unique features for me. Instead of being told to flip left after a certain distance, Gemini will title landmarks along the route and employ these to information you. For example: “Turn left at the Starbucks.” I create now not know about you, but that’s a lot more priceless to me than “Turn left in 300 feet.” And in the event you want to make walking even greater, make certain you attempt Google Maps Live Survey.
Train it as your personal assistant
You can also employ Gemini to accomplish various tasks for your cellphone with out desiring to leave the navigation display cloak. For example:
Having your ETA or upcoming appointments announced
Sending messages to let folk know your ETA — or that you’re working late
Adding that appointment you just remembered to your calendar
The great thing right here is that you can achieve all this hands-free, with out desiring to gaze at the cellphone — and even contact it. The ability to employ Gemini to achieve these items is now not unique, however the deep integration with Maps is. You can perform these features in the course of that conversation about restaurants, for example.
Here is especially handy when biking on busy streets the place distractions can be dangerous. Or now not it is also nice in the event you’re walking and sightseeing, because you can preserve your eyes centered on what you’re there to gaze.
AI that’s actually useful
These days, it sounds like AI is being shoved into each operating system, app, and widget, regularly for no glaring reason. Or now not it is a shrimp boring. But each as soon as in a while, there may be a surprisingly priceless employ case, and Gemini in Maps is a form of.
These unique features are rolling out now on each iOS and Android. Google says the rollout is global, so anyone who can employ Gemini may level-headed have access.
