Directions overview with arrival time redesigned by Google Maps

 'Ask about place' with directions interface and more by Google Maps 

Google Maps has made a small redesign to the heavily used directions interface that provides an overview of trip details. Previously, Google Maps displayed the trip overview in three dense lines, which left a lot of empty space on the right. The color-coded duration is now split over two lines on the left-hand side, and much larger than before. It’s a good way to emphasize that primary piece of information. Following are the some of the important points:-

Google is reportedly rolling out an "Ask about place" chip which leverages Gemini in the Maps app.

When selecting a place and surfacing Gemini, users can tap this chip and write a query about it for the AI to fulfil with directions, location and other info.

A Maps update was recently spotted as reports claim the app will become more user-friendly with at a glance information.

Google's rolling out some additional Gemini aid to its navigational app; however, it seems there's room for improvement.

As spotted, Google rolling out a new "Ask about place" suggestion chip in Maps. The demo highlights the user's ability to surface Gemini when in Maps and tap the new chip directly above the text field. From there, users can enter a question about the place before submitting. The AI will run through its normal processes before returning an answer to your query. Gemini will confirm that it's discovered the place you've selected in Maps, as well as offer a set of directions for you. This is delivered via a tappable link in the app. Moreover, Gemini delivers additional pieces of information like the place's location, an approximation of how long it'd take to get there and more. New today is “Arrive hh:mm AM/PM” with the trip details, like “Fastest route, despite the usual traffic.”  The final line includes the distance, which is still quite prominent, and other trip details like any toll fees and savings. This redesign applies to all modes of transport, with previous text-heavy screens benefiting a great deal. This approach is less dense and makes better use of that bottom sheet, especially width-wise. We’re seeing this change widely rolled out with version 25.13.06 of Google Maps for Android. It’s not yet live on iOS.

What's strange is that even though Google has started rolling this "Ask about place" chip out officially, the publication claims it's not working a 100% of the time. The feature has reportedly been spotted for "most points of interest," but for those that Gemini can't fulfil, it will let you know. There's speculation Google might shove certain aspects of Gemini's involvement with Maps behind Gemini Advanced. Nothing's been confirmed anywhere yet, so perhaps this is more of a test run than reality for the app. The way Gemini's new chip works in Maps echoes an update Google rolled out for its app last year. Receiving directions from Gemini for Maps a year prior was a little tiring, as users were left interacting with links. After the change, Gemini would conduct all of its work through your attached Maps extension, providing a card similar to the "Ask about place" chip we're seeing now.

Additionally, the AI model would automatically take users into Maps with the delivered set of directions, ready to get going. In Gemini, this is all done by saying "Navigate to [place]" or "Take me to [x]." Most of this has rolled over into the AI's chip in Maps; however, it seems like users are still required to hit the provided link before directions can be delivered. In other news, a more recent Maps update was spotted in development, which involves the app becoming more user-friendly. The app could give users more information at a glance, like available parking, fuel efficiency and ETA. This will all seemingly be delivered to users in the initial window after users set their desired destination in the app. Google's plan behind this rollout is unclear.