The holiday season is here, and Google is taking serious actions to ensure its services are all that you need.
Earlier this month, the tech giant revealed a Search-based list of some of the year’s most sought-after gifts, followed by the rollout of a new AI-powered feature that can call stores and check whether the product you’re looking for is in stock or not.
With gift ideas and securing them covered, the tech giant also rolled out upgrades divided between Search’s AI Mode and Google Flights, all meant to help make holiday travel planning a lot smoother. Hard on the heels of the rollout, the Mountain View, California-based tech giant is now rolling out more travel-based upgrades, this time focusing on Google Maps.
Google wants your next vacation to be built, budgeted, and booked in Search
Turning plans into bookings
Highlighted in a new blog post, Google is rolling out four new features to make Google Maps an indispensable tool for the busy holiday season, with one of the pivotal upgrades being Gemini’s ability to surface key ‘know before you go’ tips.
When you search for places like restaurants, hotels, or concert venues on Maps, you should now be able to scroll down to surface a new Know before you go section. As the name suggests, the section will highlight top insights like “the best way to book a reservation, what the secret menu items are, parking tips and more.”
It’s like having a knowledgeable guide show you the way.
The new Know before you go section is rolling out now on Android and iOS in the US.
An updated Explore tab
Google Maps’ Explore tab is great at giving you quick information about top places nearby, inclduing iconic places, what’s trending, hotels nearby, relevant customer reviews, and a lot more. Now, Google is revamping the way the the tab looks, with easier to explore trending and popular locations, activities, and sights near you.
“It’s also easier to find curated lists from trusted sources like Viator, Lonely Planet and OpenTable, in addition to local influencers like Sisterssnacking so you can discover your new favorite spot,” wrote the tech giant.
The updated Explore tab is rolling out now for Android and iOS users globally.
See EV charger availability
Yet another AI-powered feature, Maps can now intelligently analyze whether an EV charging station will have an available charger by the time you drive to it. For what it’s worth, Maps, from networks like Tesla Superchargers and Electrify America, can already tell how many chargers are available at specific stations in real-time. The new feature essentially only uses historical and real-time charger availability data “to predict how many chargers are likely to be free once you’re there.”
The feature will begin rolling out globally next week to Android Auto users and cars with Google built-in.
Leave reviews, but anonymously
Want to leave a Google review, be it good or bad, without giving away your name and identity? You’ll be able to do so later this month.
Users will soon be able to choose a nickname and a profile picture specifically for reviews, essentially allowing you to leave reviews with pseudonyms like “Eager Elf” or “Julia Loves Sweets.” The feature is rolling out this month globally on Android, iOS and desktop.
