Google has introduced several updates to help users plan their trips, including new translation capabilities, artificial intelligence routing, and curated recommendations in Google Maps.
Curated Recommendations
This week, Google Maps will begin telling users where to eat and what places to visit. At first, this feature will appear only in some cities in the US and Canada. The recommendations are updated weekly from a variety of sources, including Lonely Planet, The New York Times, and OpenTable, and are divided into three lists: Rising Popular, All-Time Best, and Diamonds—not particularly popular but worth checking out. We’ll keep you updated as this feature expands to more locations.
AI-Generated Routes
In addition, Search is testing a new generative AI feature that provides travel ideas to users. The AI-generated route includes additional information, such as flight and hotel options, as well as suggestions to visit certain places. Google says that over time, the AI will offer information about establishments, reviews, and photos – and the resulting route can be sent to other Google services, such as Gmail, Docs, or Maps. This feature is currently only available to participants in the Search Generative Experience (SGE) testing program. Stay tuned for further developments on this front.
Circle to Search Update
The Circle to Search feature, introduced in January, for which the company ridiculed the iPhone, has also been updated. Now, with its help, you can translate information from any part of the screen by holding the Home button or navigation bar and then pressing the translate icon. Until recently, the Circle to Search feature was only available on the Google Pixel 7 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S24, but should soon appear on other Android devices. We’ll keep you posted on its availability.
Overall, these updates aim to enhance the user experience and streamline the process of trip planning and exploration on Google Maps, concludes NIXSolutions. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first adventure, these features offer valuable tools and insights to make your journey smoother.