Google Maps, which introduced the Gemini-supported Ask Maps tool in March 2026, received a series of important updates on August 7, 2026. The most notable new feature is the ability to order meals directly through the app. Users can indicate to Ask Maps the type of cuisine they want, and the system locates open establishments along the route that offer the options they are looking for.
Once you have chosen the restaurant, Ask Maps allows you to add the item directly to the cart, simplifying the process of reviewing and completing the order. As announced by the company, this function is being implemented in partnership with platforms such as Square and Toast, and there are plans for future expansion to include Uber Eats.
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Furthermore, Ask Maps offers the possibility of searching for data on accommodation and events in the region. The platform compares prices in real time and checks availability, providing direct access to booking hotels or purchasing tickets to attractions.
It is possible to securely integrate Ask Maps with Gmail using the Personal Intelligence functionality. With this connection, the app accesses flight and restaurant reservation information from your emails, enabling personalized suggestions for nearby locations based on your accommodations. Connection to Gmail is disabled by default, and conversation history is remembered if the function is enabled, allowing you to resume past interactions.
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The Ask Maps system now provides real-time information about public transport, through a new widget. This tool keeps users updated on any delays on bus, train, subway or ferry routes.
Users can also propose changes to Maps interactively, using the “Ask Maps” feature. You can, for example, send a photo of a store facade to adjust your opening hours, or share observations such as the availability of additional parking spaces in a certain area, information that Maps can display to other users.
The real-time public transport widget, personalized responses and conversation logging are rolling out globally in all regions where Ask Maps already operates. However, the functions of ordering food, searching for hotels and events, and interactive contributions are being implemented exclusively in the United States for now, with the expectation that these functionalities will be expanded to other nations over time.