Google Maps has received one of its most significant updates in years, adding a range of AI-driven tools to its Ask Maps feature that move the app well beyond simple navigation. The changes span food ordering, hotel discovery, real-time transit tracking, and personalised recommendations drawn from a user’s Gmail account. Ask Maps can take a detailed brief (budget, neighbourhood, proximity to a gym, a particular aesthetic) and compare real-time prices and availability. Personal Intelligence and Gmail IntegrationA feature Google calls Personal Intelligence allows Ask Maps to connect to a user’s Gmail account and draw on existing reservations and travel plans. Live Transit Information and Community ContributionsReal-time transit updates are now available directly within Ask Maps.