Google has expanded its Ask Maps feature in India with Hindi language support, live transit updates, and a new Personal Intelligence layer powered by Gemini. The updates, announced on the company’s India blog, aim to transform Google Maps into a smarter daily assistant for commuting, local discovery, and travel planning.
Hindi Support and Natural Language Queries
With Hindi support, users can ask travel questions in a more familiar language, search for places, compare routes, and request local recommendations. Ask Maps uses Gemini to handle detailed natural language queries and can even remember earlier conversations when history settings are enabled, allowing travel plans to continue seamlessly.
Real-Time Transit Information
The update brings live bus, metro, and train schedules, including delay information, through a new widget. For example, searches around ISBT Kashmere Gate can show departure times, connecting routes, and changing wait times. This real-time data helps commuters make better decisions on the go.
Personal Intelligence via Gmail Integration
Personal Intelligence adds another layer of trip planning by optionally connecting to Gmail. With user permission, Ask Maps can access flight, hotel, or restaurant reservations to suggest nearby activities and suitable departure times. Google keeps Gmail access off by default, giving users full control over the connection.
Beyond Navigation: Traffic, Weather, and Crowd Data
Ask Maps also provides live traffic, weather, and crowd level information at restaurants or shops. These details help users choose better travel times and avoid crowded locations, making Maps more practical for everyday Indian commutes and short trips.
Google first launched Ask Maps in India and the United States, positioning it as a conversational layer for Maps. The latest India updates combine language support, live mobility data, and personalized planning in one place, strengthening Maps as an everyday assistant beyond basic navigation.
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