I just tested this app that turns your group chats into real plans — and it's the most practical AI tool yet

Making plans with friends should be simple. But these days, it can feel like so much work that by the time everyone finally agrees on a place and time… you almost don’t even want to go anymore.

If you’ve ever tried to plan dinner with friends in a group chat, you already know the cycle.

Someone throws out “we should do something this weekend,” three people respond with excitement, one person drops a thumbs up and then the entire thread disappears under memes, other completely unrelated messages, jokes and just about everything else until the dreaded follow-up:

“Wait… what time are we thinking?”

That’s usually where the planning energy dies, and everyone quietly pretends they’re still “down.” If this feels painfully familiar, there’s a new AI app designed to fix it by pulling in real-world details from Google Maps.

Meet: Continua

Continua AI is an app that’s going after one of the most relatable modern problems — making sure plans actually make it out of the group chat.

This social AI assistant is built for coordinating with other people, and its new Google Maps integration makes those plans feel far more realistic — like something you’d actually do tonight.

So, instead of debating for 45 minutes over “where should we go?” or “what’s closest?” you can ask Continua quick questions like:

• Where should we get Indian food tonight?
• What’s the closest bookstore?
• Where should we meet up?

Then it responds with suggestions designed to work for the whole group, not just one person. And that's what I think is the key difference for users: this isn't just a fancy search engine, it's a planning engine.

I've been testing Continua over the last few weeks and can honestly say it's probably one of the most practical AI tools I've tested. It's perfect for friends families and anyone tired of playing group chat logistics manager. Here's a look at what it can do.

First impressions

One of the first things I noticed is that Continua isn't an app, it's actually like a contact you add into the chat. When added, Continua gets you out of “endless discussion mode” and into “okay, here are three real options.” It’s not trying to be your friend who sends 15 voice notes. It’s trying to be the one who says: “Here. Pick one.” And honestly? That’s what my group chat of 15 busy moms really needs.

One important aspect to note is that while Continua can give smart suggestions, it doesn’t magically solve the hardest part of group chats: people being indecisive, slow to respond or noncommittal. But, let's be real, will there ever be an AI that can do all of that? There are many personalities in my group chats, so that's really not the fault of the AI.

It can speed up the planning, but it can’t force the follow-through. The AI part is incredibly smart, it just needs a little more structure around decision-making. I’d love to see Continua add a few more “real world” features that push plans across the finish line, like:

• Quick voting or polls inside the chat
• Auto-generated time suggestions based on everyone’s schedule
• A “lock it in” button that confirms the plan for the group

The big upgrade: Continua + Google Maps

The most interesting feature here is Continua’s new Google Maps-powered recommendations, because it adds the missing layer most chatbots don’t have.

Yes, you can ask any AI for restaurant ideas. But if it doesn’t factor in real-world details like:

• Traffic
• Walking distance
• Public transit delays
• Opening hours
• Where everyone actually is

With Google Maps built in, Continua can now include things like accurate time estimates (walking, driving or public transit), traffic patterns and delays, business hours (so you don’t show up to a closed spot… been there), new restaurant openings and fresh listings and even a best meeting point based on everyone’s location.

This is the kind of upgrade that turns an already useful app into something I now can't live without.

My biggest question is how smoothly this works when you’re planning with a mixed group — like someone on public transit, someone driving and someone walking. I live in the New Jersey suburbs so everyone drives. I'll have to give it a try next time I'm in NYC, because that's where even the best planning tools can fall apart, and it’s the kind of thing I’d want to test more.

Why this matters: Group planning is harder than solo planning

Google Maps is great at optimizing plans for one person. But add a group and everything gets messy fast — one friend is coming from work, another is already home, someone’s on the train, someone’s driving and nobody wants to commit.

That’s where Continua comes in. It uses location context to suggest options that actually make sense for everyone, acting like the “decider” your group chat desperately needs. When Continua enters the chat I feel like everyone is more motivated to actually cross the finish line and meet up.

Continua is the kind of AI I want more of — genuinely useful AI. And honestly, anything that makes “so what are we doing?” easier to answer is a win.

The takeaway

If your group chats are full of “we should totally hang out soon” energy but nothing ever happens, Continua is worth checking out. It also offers reminders wtih a calendar integration, Google docs and Gmail integration so you can finally make and keep those plans once and for all.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom's Guide

• I built a ‘free forever’ AI stack — and it gives you Pro features for $0
• Claude’s new Cowork feature threatens Gemini’s Workspace advantage — and puts dozens of startups at risk
• I didn’t think Gemini could do this — 10 useful features hiding in plain sight