Ask Maps gets more helpful with food ordering and more

Google Maps has expanded its Ask Maps feature with new agentic capabilities that allow users to perform multi-step tasks such as ordering food for pickup. The system can now search for open restaurants along a user’s route, add dishes to a cart, and complete orders with partners like Square and Toast, with Uber Eats integration planned. The feature considers saved preferences and dietary needs to tailor recommendations, streamlining errands like ordering takeout before heading home.

Ask Maps also introduces personalized hotel and event discovery, enabling users to search for accommodations with specific criteria such as price, ratings, and proximity to amenities. The tool compares real-time availability and prices, while suggesting nearby activities like concerts or comedy shows with ticket links. These updates aim to simplify travel planning by integrating live data and user preferences into a single interface.

A new Personal Intelligence mode allows users to securely connect Ask Maps to Gmail, enabling the tool to factor in upcoming reservations for tailored suggestions. For example, if a user asks for activities near their hotel before a flight, Ask Maps will reference Gmail data to provide relevant recommendations and transit tips. The feature prioritizes user control and privacy, with connections opting in by default and history settings preserving past conversations for continuity.

Real-time transit updates are now integrated into Ask Maps via a dedicated widget, displaying live delays for buses, trains, subways, and ferries. Users can query departure times and receive adjusted wait times as conditions change, such as ferry schedules to Taronga Zoo. Additionally, Ask Maps now supports conversational contributions, allowing users to suggest edits or upload photos to update business details like hours, which are reviewed for accuracy before publication.