As a native New Yorker, I’m sure some of you can relate to what I’m about to say: my city hosts some of the most eccentric locales anyone has ever seen.

Forget the usual hotspots that tourists flock to while they’re adorned in “I LOVE NY!” shirts and caps. There’s so much more to see and do beyond just walking around Times Square, taking the boat to Ellis Island to stare at the Statue of Liberty and taking a selfie in front of Madison Square Garden. I’m always on the lookout for speakeasies, arcades packed to the brim with retro games, quirky museums and other sorts of unique locales.

I already had two AI tools in mind when trying to come up with a list of strange places to head out to: Gemini and Google Maps’ trusty Ask Maps feature. I approached both of Google’s chatbot assistants with this simple request: “Find me 7 of the weirdest yet entertaining attractions in New York City.”

Both Gemini and Google Maps’ Ask Maps scoured every borough of my city and came back with a host of trippy locales that appeal to my interests as an intrepid metro adventurer. These are the 7 weirdest hotspots that I can’t wait to take a weekend trip to.

Gemini’s suggestions for local locales that are a bit weirder than most

When it was Gemini’s turn, it met me with four equally intriguing locales that are definitely out of the norm when it comes to oddball gimmicks:

• Evolution Store (SoHo): A cabinet of curiosities brought to life, this shop caters to collectors of the macabre, science enthusiasts, and oddity seekers. You’ll find real human and animal skulls, taxidermy, pinned exotic beetles, meteorites, and prehistoric fossils alongside medical antiques.
• Sunshine Laundromat & Pinball (Greenpoint): At first glance, it looks like a standard neighborhood laundromat with people folding shirts. But if you push open the fake washing machine door toward the back, you’ll step into a speakeasy arcade filled with decades of classic pinball machines and a full craft beer bar.
• The Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal (Midtown): Located right outside the Grand Central Oyster Bar, this acoustic anomaly is built into the tiled Guastavino arches. If two people stand at diagonally opposite corners of the square entryway and whisper into the wall, the sound waves travel cleanly along the curved ceiling, letting you hear each other clearly over the noise of the terminal.
• Dream House (TriBeCa): Created by minimalist composer La Monte Young and visual artist Marian Zazeela, this continuous sound-and-light installation has been running in a light-filled room on Church Street since 1993. Visitors take off their shoes, lie on a plush carpet, and immerse themselves in a dense chord produced by sine-wave generators and neon geometric lighting.

After reading through the descriptions of all four of Gemini’s picks, I got even more excited to venture out to each one of them over the course of the next several weekends.

The Evolution Store’s selection of bracelets and framed butterflies matches my type of vibe; the Sunshine Laundromat & Pinball targets my interest in regular locals that cleverly feature hidden gems; The Whispering Gallery at Grand Central Terminal sounds like a perfect spot for me and one of my friends to go to and see if our whispers truly reach each other; the Dream House appeals to me as a stress-relieving site that I can frequent from this point forward.

Google Maps’ Ask Maps strange hotspot recommendations

After presenting my prompt to Google Maps’ Ask Maps, it spread out its seven pics across two categories: “Manhattan Oddities” and “Brooklyn Quirks.” Here are the three venues I end up adding to my future weekend hangout schedule:

• Tucked into a gritty Lower Manhattan alleyway, Mmuseumm is an eccentric, 60-square-foot museum built entirely inside an old freight elevator shaft. It explicitly explores the modern world through an absurd collection of regular everyday objects. What You’ll See: Oddities ranging from unique toothpaste tubs collected across the globe to weird papers accidentally left behind in copy machines. Fun Feature: Despite the minuscule footprint, they have squeezed in a tiny gift shop and a cafe shelf.
• Hiding behind a bright bodega-style canopy in Williamsburg, The City Reliquary is a micro-museum completely obsessed with the odd, forgotten relics of New York history. The Collection: Forget high art—this museum proudly showcases rows of vintage New York seltzer bottles, old subway tokens, and even actual subway rat bones. Community Focus: The back rooms rotate display cases dedicated to bizarre personal collections curated by everyday locals.
• If you need a new cape, a canister of “Chilled Fog,” or a fresh bucket of invisibility paint, Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co. in Park Slope has you covered. The retail front operates entirely as a dedicated, fully in-character shop selling crime-fighting accessories. The Secret Identity: The entire store is a clever front. If you pull back the correct bookshelf, you discover a secret door that opens into a hidden library housing 826NYC, a nonprofit creative writing center for kids. Store Rule: Be prepared—employees strictly require all customers to loudly recite a vow of heroism at the counter before completing any purchase.

As someone who frequently hits up museums, is amazed by the sort of objects I don’t come across on the regular and is enraptured by the heroics of my favorite Marvel Comics & DC Comics costume characters, those three aforementioned hubs spoke to me the most. The promise of a hidden creative writing mecca for kids housed within a superhero item shop should definitely appeal to any of my younger cousins who love that type of stuff.

Final thoughts

Gemini and Google Maps’ Ask Map feature have become one of my go-to AI tools for finding a wide swath of local and non-local venues to go to whenever I’m planning solo endeavors, group hangouts and first dates. In this case, they both came in clutch during my journey to discover the strangest yet infinitely cool locations that are littered across my city.

Not only do I have plenty of random spots to hit up over the next few months, but I also have a newfound desire to prompt Gemini and Google Maps’ Ask Maps to help me find even more bizarre locales worthy of my attention.

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Out of all the negatives I can admit about myself, setting up dates sticks out as one of my biggest weaknesses.

In the past, I’ve struck out horribly by trying to woo my potential mates by taking them to the sorts of places that made them rethink ever meeting up with me again. My first date fumbles have led me and whoever was unlucky enough to see me to dive bars with horrible lighting, restaurants with disappointing menu options and lounges with booming speakers that didn’t allow for a whole lot of meaningful conversations.

Somehow, someway, I managed to nab myself another opportunity to enjoy a nice night on the town with someone. And this time, I made it my mission to find out her likes and dislikes when it comes to hanging out & having fun.

With all the information in tow, I got a bright idea — take all of my future date’s favorite hobbies, interests, and types of hangouts to Google Maps and use Ask Maps to find the perfect spots worth considering. And to my surprise, it offered me a solid selection of date-worthy locations.

7 date night suggestions that made my planning less of a headache

As I’m sure you’ve already noticed from the screenshot posted above, I told Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature all about my future date’s favorite things—since she’s an old soul with an affinity for the more geeky pastimes I’m also into, I had a feeling there would be plenty of viable options to consider as the perfect date locales. Ask Maps showcased its date spot picks across two categories: Interactive & Playful Dates and Intimate Vibes & Elevated Floors.

Here are the New York City settings that were listed under the first group:

• Barcade: If you want a classic, high-energy date centered around gaming, heading to Barcade in Chelsea is a perfect choice. It keeps the focus purely on adult socializing over retro cabinets rather than tickets and prizes. Reviewers call it a fantastic adult playground for nostalgic gaming. Challenge her to a cooperative game like X-Men or classic pinball. Check out their extensive, rotating selection of American craft beers on tap.
• The Cinemas NYC: For a luxurious spin on movie night, The Cinemas NYC (IPIC Theaters) at the Seaport turns a screening into a premium experience. It is completely different from your standard theater with its plush seating arrangements and top-tier hospitality. Patrons rave about the luxurious, private feel of the double seating pods. Book a “Premium Plus” ticket to get reclining leather seats that come with pillows and blankets. Use the in-seat service to order gourmet dishes and cocktails directly to your shared table without interrupting the film.
• Izakaya Nana: Tucked away in Flushing, Izakaya Nana is an absolute dream destination for anyone who loves Japanese fantasy aesthetics and otaku culture. The entire venue doubles as a massive homage to graphic novels and subculture. Otakus admire the manga-panel-lined walls, traditional tatami spaces, and classic anime projections running in the background. Ask to be seated in a booth surrounded by their massive library of manga volumes. Rent traditional kimonos on-site to fully immerse yourselves in the experience.
• Other Half Brewing Company: If she is a true craft beer geek, making a pilgrimage to the original Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn is mandatory. This is the epicenter where modern craft culture evolved. Visitors note the incredibly relaxed, friendly taproom environment. Sample their world-famous Hazy IPAs and innovative Oat Creme double-hopped variations at the source. Snag a few limited-release four-packs from their retail fridge to take home after a date.

After observing the four more adventurous options Google Maps’ Ask Maps assistant provided me with, I took note of the three other nightspots that are geared more towards intimate meetups:

• Eavesdrop: For a sophisticated, audio-forward evening, Eavesdrop in Greenpoint is a minimalist listening bar specifically designed around a high-end sound system. It is curated so that the music remains a central showcase without drowning out your intimate conversation. Patrons love the sleek wood styling and crystal-clear acoustics. Try to secure seating near the cork-lined turntable booth to watch the vinyl selection up close. Sip on their craft cocktail menu, which features creative, Asian-inspired flavor profiles.
• Record Room: Hidden along the Long Island City waterfront, Record Room delivers a speakeasy atmosphere built entirely around the art of the spin. It functions as a cozy neighborhood cafe by day before transforming into a moody, music-centric lounge at night. Visitors frequently praise the highly talented local DJs spinning classic retro sets exclusively on vinyl. Enjoy the dramatic aesthetic of the room, which features custom Hi-Fi loudspeakers and walls adorned with records. Make a reservation ahead of time, as the space is quite intimate and fills up quickly on weekends.
• Gaonnuri: If you want to elevate a standard dinner date, Gaonnuri takes classic Korean barbecue and moves it to a stunning penthouse space on the 39th floor. It offers an upscale atmosphere that feels completely removed from the frantic pace of the streets below. Diners highlight the incredible, unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline. Enjoy a fully hosted experience where the attentive waitstaff handles all the tabletop grilling for you. Appreciate the advanced ventilation system, which ensures you leave dinner without any lingering smoke smells.

Out of all the spots that were presented to me, the ones that ended up making the final cut after I sent them to my date were Barcade, Izakaya Nana, Eavesdrop and Record Room. While the skyline views and delicious delicacies presented by Gaonnuri intrigued us, their high prices brought our increased levels of hype out of orbit as we opted for Ask Maps’ more affordable offerings. If we end up talking beyond our initial meetups, then maybe we’ll consider getting a table over there (honestly, that place seems more catered to serious couples).

The takeaway

I know I’m going to be lambasted with comments about how much of an amateur I am when it comes to planning dates. While I’m not guilty of taking women to chain restaurants and overly loud places that lead to us screaming in each other’s ears, I’ve taken plenty of swings and missed with some of the locations I’ve chosen. From now on, I’ll refrain from doing my usual Google search for “best date spots [location],” ask for date recommendations while also considering my date’s hobbies & interests and forward them to my prospective date to see if any of them match their vibe.

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It’s not often that a third-party mapping app pops up in the charts above such stalwarts as Apple Maps and Google Maps, but MapQuest has done just that.

Yes, the app that you used to print out directions from is currently the number 1 free app in the Apple Store as of Tuesday, above ChatGPT, Vinted, and ESPN Fantasy Sports. In the Google Play Store, it’s currently ranked 9 overall.

But why this sudden rise? It all has to do with Trump’s trade war with Canada.

Last week, as tensions escalated between the U.S. President and Canada over tariffs, Trump announced via Truth Social that he was re-naming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” and followed that up with an executive order over the weekend.

After the announcement, Google changed its maps on Saturday, so that U.S. users would see “Lake America,” rather than the internationally accepted Lake Ontario. Canadian Google Maps users will continue to see only Lake Ontario, which those outside those countries will see both names.

Google says it updated the name to reflect the changes in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), which follows the precedent set when Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America.” Waze, which is owned by Google, also changed the names of both bodies of water.

As a result, many Google Maps users, both in the U.S. and internationally, who are opposed to Trump’s policies, looked for an alternative, which has led to MapQuest’s meteoric rise, thanks in part to its statement that it would not change the name of the great lake, via a post on X.

As of Monday afternoon, Apple Maps still shows Lake Ontario with its original name, but displays the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

"We took the same approach we did with the Gulf of Mexico: be part of the conversation, and give people an app that keeps the names they're familiar with," said Doug Berger, General Manager of MapQuest in a press statement. "Hundreds of thousands of people signaled to us this weekend that we got it right, by downloading our app."

According to the company, the app’s rank is the highest it’s been in the company’s 30-year history.

The company even went so far as to launch a little game where you can rename Lake Ontario, and then share the new moniker via social media.

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Google Maps’ offline feature sounds like the ultimate safety net for cellular dead zones. The logic is simple: download the map before you leave, and you are protected. In reality, that "offline" label comes with some frustrating fine print.

First, turn-by-turn navigation is strictly built for driving. The moment you leave your vehicle, offline routing for walking, cycling, and public transit completely vanishes. While you can still see your blue dot on a basic visual map, the app goes silent right when you need step-by-step guidance in an unfamiliar place.

Maintenance is another headache. Downloaded regions consume massive amounts of local storage, and they are on a strict 30-day countdown timer — if you don't connect to Wi-Fi to let the app auto-refresh them, they lapse.

Google Maps remains the gold standard when you have a connection, but it struggles the moment cell service drops. For reliable navigation anywhere, you need an app designed to work seamless offline from day one.

1. Organic Maps

Organic Maps (App Store / Play Store) treats offline navigation as a core requirement, not an afterthought. Built by the original team behind MAPS.ME, it allows you to download complete state or national maps using minimal phone storage.

Once saved, you gain full offline access to turn-by-turn driving, walking, and cycling navigation, alongside instant search for addresses, fuel, and public restrooms. Because the platform operates with zero ads, tracking, or background data collection, it remains exceptionally fast while preserving your device's battery life.

2. CoMaps

CoMaps (App Store / Play Store) was created as a community-led fork of Organic Maps, built to ensure offline navigation remains completely free, open-source, and transparent.

The app stores detailed road layouts, trail networks, and transit lines directly on your device, delivering full turn-by-turn guidance entirely independent of a cellular signal.

By eliminating third-party integrations, CoMaps guarantees absolute privacy with zero tracking or location logging. For users prioritizing non-profit software, it offers an uncompromising, highly reliable alternative.

3. HERE WeGo

HERE WeGo (App Store / Play Store) operates as a dedicated in-car navigator, designed specifically for road trips through dead zones and driving abroad without international data.

Evolving from Nokia’s original mapping platform, it lets you download complete state or national maps with a single tap. Once saved, the app provides precise turn-by-turn voice guidance, explicit lane assistance, and speed limit alerts without consuming a single byte of cellular data.

Delivering the familiar experience of a traditional built-in dashboard GPS, HERE WeGo ensures stress-free highway navigation with zero risk of unexpected roaming charges.

Did your go-to app miss this list? Tell us which Google Maps alternative you swear by in the comments below.

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Whipping out my phone during a stroll or drive around wherever I may be usually leads me to ask for Google Maps’ trip planning and food-finding expertise.

Ever since the location-finder app has received Gemini-powered AI integration and the conversational-/text-enabled assistance of “Ask Maps,” I’ve gotten plenty of mileage out of Google Maps most recent updates. I’ve learned to get used to the puzzled stares from the folks who observe me having a longer-than-usual chat with a GPS app on a park bench—I’ll yap as much as I want with the Ask Maps feature to find something fun to do and something amazing to eat.

You’re probably just as addicted to using Google Maps’ AI-boosted features just as much as I am. If that’s the case, allow me to provide you with a collection of prompts that maximize Ask Maps’ travel planning and food discovery abilities.

And since one of them helped me unearth my new favorite hidden gem eatery, I’m living proof that Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature is a blessing for hardcore foodies.

Prompting your way into fun activities and delicious destinations

Using these seven Gemini-generated prompts to find an area that targets the specific atmosphere you’re looking for, discover a pet-friendly location, look for somewhere to stay dry when it starts pouring, etc., should work best:

• The "Vibe Check" Itinerary: Plan a half-day walking tour in [location] that feels historical but hipster, ending at a highly-rated craft cocktail bar.
• The Hyper-Specific Pitstop: Find a dog-friendly cafe with outdoor seating and ample parking along my current route to [location], no more than a [time]-minute detour.
• The Weather-Pivot Plan: It just started raining. Find the best indoor family activities within a [time]-minute drive of my location that don't require advance tickets.
• The Scenic vs. Fast Debate: Show me a route to [location] that prioritizes scenic mountain views and historic roadside attractions over the fastest highway time.
• The Dish-Specific Hunt: Where is the absolute best [name of food dish] within a [time]-minute walk of my hotel that is open right now?
• The Group Consensus Solver: Suggest a dinner spot near [location] with a lively atmosphere that has great reviews for both gluten-free options and steaks, and takes reservations.
• The "Local Secret" Search: Find a hole-in-the-wall [type of food] restaurant/stand in [location] that locals love, isn't a massive tourist trap, and has a rating of 4.5 or higher.

Getting led to my new favorite hidden-gem Japanese restaurant

That last prompt came in handy when I was on a mission to find something different to eat after work in the city.

After getting tired of my familiar food spots (I still love Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s, but I needed a break from them…), I turned to Ask Maps to highlight a hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant that’s within walking distance of Times Square.

Google Maps didn’t waste any time bringing up a 4.9-star-rated spot called Sozai Japanese Restaurant (Izakaya Ramen). Based on Ask Maps’ detailed description, I just had to head there and get a taste of what they were serving:

This charming, unassuming spot sits just a brief walk from the core of Times Square and delivers an authentic gastropub atmosphere that completely escapes the tourist rush. It is heavily favored by local midtown workers looking for legitimate comfort food after hours. The vibe is warm, cozy, and buzzing with a lively izakaya energy featuring traditional decor and deeply attentive service. Patrons highly recommend the crispy katsu, sizzling skewers, and steaming bowls of ramen made with remarkably fresh ingredients.

Thankfully, Sozai ended up being a delicious win (the Karaage, Garlic Fried Rice and Gyūdon taste amazing!). Ask Maps also featured Sushi by Bou and Sushi 35 West alongside its first pick, so I’ll have to make the journey to those places since they’re also highly reviewed and have delicious descriptions.

Final thoughts

Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature just so happens to be my go-to location and restaurant curator whenever I’m on foot. And it handles its duties as a road trip assistant quite well since I regularly speak to it whenever I, my passenger or my driver needs to know where to go next.

Being able to share curated locations and share Ask Maps’ suggestions as a collaborative list that others can fill out with their recommended picks makes Google Maps even better than its previous versions.

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Google Maps has gotten its fair share of upgrades in recent months, including the integration of a Gemini-powered conversational feature called Ask Maps.

Since its addition to the platform in March, Ask Maps has proven to be a nifty feature that lets users make a bevy of requests. Asking for directions to a place to charge your dying phone, looking for directions to a public tennis court that’s lit up at night and planning to hit up recommended hot spots during a trip are just some of the instances where vocal prompts push Ask Maps to be your best digital guide.

As we all know, Google never rests on its laurels when it comes to its apps. And now, a massive update to Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature pushes it to perform more complex tasks. And not only are those features now available on the app in the US, but they’ll also be coming to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico, along with over 150 countries and territories in English.

With this newly released Ask Maps update in mind, here are seven prompts you can try out to take advantage of it and push Google Maps’ AI integration to its full potential.

Ask Maps is even smarter and ready to fulfill your more complex tasks

Google Maps’ Ask Maps tool is now capable of fulfilling the sort of complex tasks that require a few extra steps to carry out.

Now it has no problem listening to you or reading what you type out when you’re ready to order takeout and find new places to eat along your route. It can even produce more personalized responses by remembering your saved places and specific dietary needs when searching for the next restaurant you might consider ordering from. This food ordering feature is rolling out now—it lets you order your next meal through partners such as Toast and Square, with Uber Eats set to get added to that group in the future.

Besides Ask Maps’ new food ordering features, it can also help you find the latest information about hotels by comparing real-time prices and checking room availability. Plus, you can tap into this AI-powered feature to ask for ideas on events that you should attend nearby. Not only will Ask Maps suggest several events worth checking out in your vicinity, but it will also include links to tickets.

Now that Personal Intelligence has become an essential part of Google Maps, you can safely connect Ask Maps to your Gmail account. Ask Maps makes great use of this new integration by using the information inside your inbox about upcoming flight, hotel or dinner reservations to give you relevant recommendations about how you should spend your time near your upcoming location. By turning the history settings on in Google Maps, Ask Maps has an easier time bringing up past conversations. That way, you can ask it to remind you of past chats so it can pull up past recreational ideas for you to choose from.

Real-time transition information, plus user-created text, conversational & photo edits that can be provided & accessed from Ask Maps’ Contribute tab also come along with Ask Maps latest update.

If you’re looking to see just how much more serviceable Ask Maps’ new features are, feel free to try out any of the prompts listed below:

• Order [name of food] for me to pick up on my way home.
• Find a highly-rated vegan place along my route to work and order a breakfast burrito for pickup.
• Find modern art museums near me that are open past [time] today.
• Are there any comedy shows happening near my location tonight with tickets still available?
• Give me ideas on how to spend a few hours near the hotel before my flight tomorrow.
• Find a great spot for coffee between my current location and my dinner reservation tonight.
• Remind me: what activities did you suggest for my trip to [location]?

Bottom line

Walking around and driving around with Google Maps’ Ask Maps feature at the ready is an even more essential use of GPS and AI. And with the debut of a live transit widget, more personalized answers to user requests, stronger memory, food ordering, hotel/event discovery and user contributions, Google’s nifty location tool is even more crucial for your traveling needs.

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Google Maps is a staple for navigation, and while most people install it and forget it, the app can occasionally consume a surprising amount of storage.

On devices with limited 64GB or 128GB capacity, heavy users who download large offline maps or experience caching glitches may find the app using several gigabytes of space.

The storage bloat comes from multiple hidden sources working together: offline maps you've downloaded, location history data stored locally on your device, and cached searches and map tiles accumulating over time.

Here's what's actually consuming your storage and how to reclaim it.

Three things are secretly consuming storage

First, offline maps. If you've downloaded maps for cities you visit frequently to avoid using cellular data, they add up quickly. While single cities are small, saving multiple large regions or entire states can easily consume several gigabytes.

Second, the Timeline feature. Google recently moved your entire location history from cloud storage directly onto your phone, meaning years of historical travel data now lives on your device. Depending on how frequently you move around, this archive can quietly grow to hundreds of megabytes or more.

And lastly, cache data. The app constantly stores searches, navigation routes, map tiles, and page content. Over time, this background cache fails to clear itself properly and balloons into a significant storage hog.

How to reclaim your storage space

Whether you are on an iPhone or an Android device, taking back your storage is really straightforward,

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Google Maps has become one of life’s essentials thanks to a host of features that make navigation feel effortless. I use it as a matter of routine when I’m driving, even if I know where I’m going — it flags up problems, offers alternative routes, and gives an accurate ETA. But Google Maps does so much more than basic directions.

The more I use and explore the app, the more impressed I become (and I love checking out the hidden tricks uncovered by the Tom’s Guide team!). While it’s packed with tools, there’s a handful of features I rely on above all others because they’ve proven, time after time, to save my trips.

Here are five of my absolute favorites. I hope they help you out, too.

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Type your address into Google Maps, switch to Street View, and there it is: a high-resolution photo of your front door, windows, and property line.

While it’s a convenient tool for navigating, it also means your home's exterior features are visible to anyone online. If you'd prefer to keep those details private, Google provides a straightforward, free way to handle it.

You can request to permanently blur your home from Street View, removing it from public view entirely. Here is how to get it done.

How to hide your home on Google Maps

You're best off using a desktop browser for this, as the blurring feature doesn't work as well on mobile. Go to maps.google.com and search your home address. When your location appears, click the photo of your home displayed above your address. This opens Street View.

Once in Street View, look at the bottom-right corner for "Report a Problem" and click it. You'll see a red and black box overlaid on the image.

You'll see a red and black box overlaid on the image. Use your mouse to position this box so your home and anything else you want blurred is completely contained within it. The plus button zooms in, the minus button zooms out. Adjust until you've framed exactly what you want hidden.

Below the image, choose what you're requesting to blur: A face, Your home, car/license plate, or A different object.

Select "Your home." Google will ask for additional details, so be specific and thorough so they understand exactly what needs blurring.

Provide your email address, complete the captcha if prompted, and click Submit.

Google will email you confirming they received the request. They may ask follow-up questions via email. There's no official timeline for approval, but most requests process within weeks. Once approved, the blur is permanent.

What you need to know before requesting

Google cautions that once something is blurred, it stays blurred permanently. You can't undo it. Make absolutely sure you've selected exactly what you want hidden before submitting.

If your request is denied, you can't resubmit the same image immediately. If approved, your home disappears from Street View everywhere, including past and future images.

Where do you stand? Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇

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If you've ever looked at Google Maps while you're driving and thought to yourself, "why can't this app track my speed too?" then you're in luck. It seems Google is now starting to roll out live speedometer support to Google Maps for Android Auto, and I have to admit that it's about time too.

Part of me is surprised that it's taken Google Maps so long to implement this feature on Android Auto. After all, the app is constantly following your vehicle for its navigation, and I can't imagine being able to monitor and display a rough speed estimate would be too much extra work.

What's even weirder is that Google Maps added a speedometer on its CarPlay app back in 2024, and it's been available on Waze for as long as I can remember. You'd have thought Google would prioritize its own primary platform, right? But that clearly wasn't the case.

I distinctly remember this feature was widely available on a multitude of pre-smartphone GPS units, and it was always interesting to see how much of a difference there was. The GPS typically had my speed a few miles per hour slower than the car itself, though in the interest of not being bombarded with enough tickets to lose my license I generally stuck with what the car had to say.

Then again, you need to remember that Google Maps took years to roll out support for speed limits and speed camera alerts — which happened back in 2019. So it's no surprise that some of these smaller features, like a GPS speedometer, haven't been top of the list of priorities.

Still reports suggest that it is rolling out, even if it hasn't reached my devices in the UK— which are running beta versions of Google Maps and Android Auto. Users on Reddit have reported seeing the speedometer in their vehicles, with screenshots from Canada and India.

The Canadian user is specifically running version 26.29.02.946673643 of the Google Maps beta. That's the same version as me, though I am sadly missing this particular feature.

Do you see the speedometer in Android Auto yet? Let us know in the comments.

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Like millions of other people, I use Google Maps regularly. I use it to find the fastest route to the grocery store, or avoid traffic jams on my morning commute. It has mostly been a purely functional tool for me, to get from point A to point B.

Recently I stumbled into a feature that completely changed how I look at the app. There's a hidden digital time machine.

It turns out that Google has been busy archiving decades of panoramic Street View imagery. And while we've been busy navigating our daily lives, Google’s camera cars have been building a massive, visual history of our world.

When I realized I could access this archive, I didn't go looking at famous landmarks or changing city skylines. I, of course, went straight to my childhood home.

How to unlock the time machine yourself

If you want to go on your own digital nostalgia trip, the process is incredibly simple, though Google keeps the controls relatively quiet. To start your journey, open Google Maps on your computer and search for an address.

Once the location loads, look to the bottom right corner of your screen and grab the little yellow silhouette figure, known as Pegman, and drop him directly onto the blue-highlighted street in front of your destination to enter Street View.

Once you are standing on the digital street, look up at the top-left corner of your screen where the address box is located. You will spot a small clock icon accompanied by the words "See more dates."

Clicking on that icon will open a window at the bottom of your screen featuring the archived images throughout the years, depending on how often the Google car has driven down that specific road.

If you are using the Google Maps app on your phone, you can achieve the same effect by tapping anywhere on the screen while in Street View, which will bring up a menu card at the bottom. Tapping "See more dates" on that card will reveal a scrollable carousel of past years, allowing you to swipe back in time with your thumb.

Google Maps is brilliant at showing us how to get to where we are going. But if you know where to look, it is even better at reminding us of where we used to be.

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When people picture someone using AI, they usually imagine a student writing an essay or a developer working on code.

That's not my mom.

She's in her 70s, and AI has become one of the tools she reaches for almost every day. My mom isn't building apps, but she does use AI to generate spreadsheets for her volunteer work. She also uses it to stay safer online and solve everyday problems like hunting down hard-to-find fabric for her quilting.

Watching her use AI so effortlessly makes me proud. Sure, she calls ChatGPT "ChatGap," but other than cute nicknames, seeing her use AI has been a good reminder that the technology doesn't have to be complicated to be useful. In fact, the features she uses most are the ones that save her time or give her confidence before making a decision.

Here are the five ways AI has become part of her daily routine.

1. She checks suspicious messages before clicking anything

Whether it's a text message, an email or even a suspicious invite, my mom has learned that you really can't trust everything on the internet. Besides, as a woman in her 70s, she's exactly the kind of person scammers target. Fake delivery notifications, phishing emails, fraudulent text messages and convincing Facebook posts seem to arrive every week.

Instead of guessing whether something is legitimate, she opens ChatGPT and uses Norton's scam detection capabilities within the app to analyze the message before she clicks a link or responds.

Sometimes she'll paste the text into the chat. Other times she'll upload a screenshot. The extra layer of verification gives her peace of mind, which honestly, gives me some peace of mind, too.

2. She uses photos to find quilting fabric

This might be my favorite use case because I never would have thought of it myself. My mom is an avid quilter. Anyone who sews knows how frustrating it can be when you run out of a particular fabric. Sometimes all that's left is a small scrap with no label or manufacturer.

Instead of spending hours searching online, she simply takes a picture of the fabric and uploads it to ChatGP or Gemini (she clearly has a preference).

The AI identifies colors, patterns and sometimes even the fabric collection or manufacturer. It can also suggest online retailers that might still carry it or recommend similar alternatives if the original has been discontinued. She used to call me to do the ChatGPT detection for her, now, she does it herself. It's like having a fabric expert available whenever she needs one.

3. She asks the kinds of questions people used to Google

Her AI conversations aren't complicated. But she likes to use ChatGPT Voice and ask things like:

Can I eat these leftovers after three days?

How long can cooked chicken stay in the refrigerator?

Can I freeze this before it goes bad?

What's the best way to clean this pan?

Why is my cat staring at me like that?

These aren't life-or-death medical questions, but they're the kinds of everyday decisions that used to send people to a search engine. Now she simply asks in plain English and gets a straightforward answer without digging through multiple websites.

4. She relies on Google Maps — and that's AI, too

I taught my mom how to use Google Maps to find the cheapest gas prices, but she also uses it to help predict traffic, estimate arrival times, suggest faster routes and reroute drivers around accidents or road closures.

It's a reminder that many of us use AI every day without even thinking about it.

5. She uses it for fitness

My mom regularly goes to the gym — much more than me! And she'll often turn to ChatGPT or Gemini for new fitness routines. With a simple prompt like:

I only have 30 minutes today, what workout would be best for me?

I am looking for new walking shoes? I like Brooks, should I stick with those?

She even uses the Apple Music app within ChatGPT to create playlists for her workouts. Impressive, for sure.

Bottom line

My mom also uses ChatGPT just to chat. Sometimes the questions are practical and other times they are more like Beatles trivia or trying to remember the name of the actress she likes in a particular movie.

She'll ask about gardening, recipes, household problems, products she's considering buying or random facts she wonders about during the day. Most importantly, she doesn't worry about writing the "perfect prompt." She simply asks the question the way she'd ask another person.

Ironically, that's probably why my mom gets such useful answers. The point is, AI doesn't have to be complicated despite the perception that it's only for programmers or people who work in technology.

Watching my mom use it every day tells a different story. She isn't trying to automate her life or replace her favorite hobbies. She's using AI to solve small problems that come up throughout the day.

If you're wondering whether AI has a place in your own daily routine — or you're trying to help a parent or grandparent get started — start with one real problem they already have. They might end up using it every day.

You've entered your destination into Google Maps, the route is calculated, everything looks correct. Then you tap the screen expecting to start navigation and all you see is Preview. No Start button.

It's one of the most frustrating experiences with the app and I've seen this problem come up repeatedly in comments and messages: people are stuck staring at a Preview button with no explanation for why navigation isn't showing as Start.

The frustration is justified, but the fix is quite simple. Google Maps just needs one piece of information to proceed. Here's what's going on and how to actually start your navigation.

Why Preview appears instead of Start

Google Maps shows Preview instead of Start for three specific reasons. First, you haven't set a starting point. Google Maps usually picks your current location automatically, but sometimes it doesn't.

Without a clear start point, the app won't let you begin navigation, it can only show you a preview of where you'd go.

Second, Google Maps lacks permission to access your location. The app needs to know where you are to confirm your starting point matches reality. If it can't pinpoint your location precisely, Preview is all you get.

Third, and this one might surprise you, your actual current location isn't on the route you've selected. Google Maps detects that you're not at the starting point of your route and nowhere along its path. This is intentional behavior. Google Maps prevents you from navigating a route you're not positioned to take.

Set your starting point and grant permission

Open Google Maps and enter your destination. After selecting where you want to go, look for "Choose starting point" and tap it.

From the menu that appears, select "Your location" at the top. This confirms to Google Maps that your current position is where navigation should begin.

This single step resolves the Preview issue for most people. By explicitly setting your starting point to your current location, you're giving Google Maps the confirmation it needs.

On iPhone, open Settings and tap Apps. Find Google Maps and select it. Then tap Location and choose either "While Using the App" or "Always." Just as with Android, enable the toggle for "Precise Location" below.

Once these permissions are active, Google Maps can accurately identify where you are and match that to your route. Navigation should work immediately.

Granting location permission on Android

If Preview persists after setting your starting point, Google Maps lacks location access. On Android, open Settings and navigate to Apps. Find Google Maps in the list and tap it. Now select Permissions, then tap Location.

Choose either "Allow all the time" or "Allow only while using the app." Then scroll down and make sure the toggle for "Use precise location" is enabled.

Precise location is critical because Google Maps needs exact coordinates, not just approximate area data. Enable this, then try navigation again.

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Google Maps recently changed its routing algorithm to favor fuel-efficient paths over the fastest paths. If you're regularly arriving later than expected, this hidden default setting is likely why.

The change sounds environmental and sensible, but it means Google is making time-vs-fuel trade-offs on your behalf by default. If your priority is reaching your destination as quickly as possible, you need to disable this setting. Here's how to take back control of your route choices.

Why Google Maps prioritizes fuel over speed

Google's fuel-efficient routing analyzes driving patterns and terrain to minimize gas consumption. The algorithm favors routes with steady acceleration, consistent speeds, and minimal braking. In theory, this helps your engine run efficiently and saves money on gas.

The problem emerges in real-world driving. A route that avoids highway on-ramps to reduce acceleration might add 10 minutes to your commute. A path that circles around congestion to maintain steady speed could cost you 15 minutes versus powering through traffic.

Google assumes that if you save fuel on a route, time savings are less important. But for commuters, delivery drivers, or anyone with time-sensitive travel, this assumption backfires.

Here's how to get the fastest routes back on Google Maps

Choose routes individually if you want flexibility

If you don't want to turn the feature off completely, you can keep fuel-efficient routing enabled and simply override it on a case-by-case basis.

Before hitting start, take a moment to examine all the available routes and compare their arrival times. While a fuel-efficient path might only add three to five minutes to a standard 20-minute workday commute, those lost minutes quickly multiply on a 90-minute road trip.

By checking your options first, you can choose what matters most for that specific drive.

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There are a lot of great features in Google Maps, and a lot of them have absolutely nothing to do with navigation. One of those features is one you may not know about, or forgot was even possible — and it's designed to help you learn more about different areas throughout history. I am, of course, talking about Street View's "time travel" feature.

Everyone knows Street View is a great way to get a view of different spots from street level, but it is possible to give you a glimpse at history as well. In the past you stuck with the last load of Street View photos that Google's roving band of camera-laden cars had taken, but that changed a few years back when archived photos were added to Google Maps.

This essentially lets you travel back through time and see back into the past through the portal of Google Street view. I've found that this is a really great way to learn about the area around you, and just how much things have changed since Street View first launched. Here's how to time travel through Google Maps.

There you have it, that's how you time travel in Google Maps, and see different parts of the world throughout history. Or throughout the period that Street View has been active, at the very least. In this case, we can see that the Central London street that houses Future Publishing's London office (Westbourne Terrace) hasn't actually changed all that much over the past 18 years, but other locations may see much more impressive transformations. Which is the biggest benefit of using time travel in the first place.

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As a New Yorker who was born and raised in Queens, I quickly learned what separates a mediocre slice of pizza from a truly amazing one.

Over the years, I’ve taken the train and bus just to fulfill my appetite by munching on a Grade A slice from the likes of Cuts & Slices, Macoletta and New Park Pizza. My never-ending journey for the best pizza in the city, best known for its slim slices, eventually lit a lightbulb over my head and pushed me right back into the world of AI.

Ever since Gemini got attached to Google Maps, it’s become a handy tool for those times when I need hands-free directions via chatting while I’m driving, a heads-up about the traffic conditions for my next route and an identifier that gives me verified info on any special places I come across. It’s also great on the recommendation front, which is why it’s become my best buddy when I need to know where to eat next.

When I used the “Ask Maps” chat feature with Gemini in Google Maps and requested a list of the best pizza places in NYC, it mentioned a popular tourist hotspot. My expectations for those sorts of places tend to be low, but to my surprise, it was a lot better than expected.

Making my way to Joe’s Pizza

Once I verbally demanded that Gemini in Google Maps put me on the path to cheesy, tomato-fueled heaven, it brought up a bunch of highly-rated pizza spots from every corner of the city.

It even split them up into different classifications, such as “Modern Champions" (best pizza in the city AND the world!), “Historical Icons” (legendary pizza spots that are cornerstones of NYC) and “Classic Favorites” (go-to spots every NY'er should go to) to make my next pizza destination a bit easier to discern. Thankfully, it didn't bring up any pizza chains like Pizza Hut (which is a plus when you remember AI hasn't had the most positive effect on the popular restaurant brand as of late).

The main pizza spot that caught my attention was Joe’s Pizza, which Gemini offered a very enticing description of stating, "For the ultimate classic NYC slice, Joe’s Pizza is the gold standard." It also stated that it's known for:

• Fame: Famous for its on-screen cameos (including Spider-Man 2) and photos of celebrity fans lining the walls.
• The Slice: Known for thin, foldable slices with just the right amount of grease and a perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio.
• Convenience: Open until 3 AM or later, making it a legendary late-night destination.

It must have been fate that Joe’s Pizza ended up catching my eye because it turns out that it’s a block away from the office here in Times Square. So on a rainy and unusually chilly Thursday, I stepped away from my desk and headed downstairs to see if all the hype about Joe’s Pizza was justified. After waiting 30 minutes in a long line full of locals and out-of-towners, I left with two slices and high expectations.

Two slices of greatness

As someone who can be overly judgmental about pizza (Sbarro’s is not, ladies and gentlemen!), I came away from my mid-afternoon pizza journey with high marks for Joe’s Pizza. Gemini in Google Maps’ lofty overview of what makes the actual location such a cool destination and why its pizza tastes so good were on the money — those two slices I ate made the long wait in the rain worth all the trouble. Once again, AI performed admirably when the time came to lead me to another delicious location that I'll be sure to mention to my fellow pizza addicts.

Final thoughts

Having a quick chat with Gemini in Google Maps just so I can stuff my face is now one of my favorite pastimes. Asking it to point me in the right direction of 4-5 star pizza restaurants is one of the best ways to use Google’s chatbot on the Google Maps app.

After finding out just how good Joe’s Pizza is based on Gemini’s lofty promises, I’m more keen on trusting its other pizza recommendations. It’s safe to say that I’ll be making a few stops to Una Pizza Napoletana, John’s of Bleecker Street and Di Fara Pizza real soon.

If Gemini in Google Maps says it's good, who am I to question it?

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As a native New Yorker, I’ve been fooled by the weather one too many times over the past few months.

One day it’s sunny and pushing into the 70s, giving me hope that summer has finally arrived. The next morning, I’m back in a sweater and jacket wondering what happened.

But now that summer is finally getting closer, I’ve started thinking about one thing: planning the perfect road trip.

I use AI tools every day for everything from shopping advice to productivity hacks, so naturally I turned to chatbots to help plan my summer travel, too. And honestly, some of the results were surprisingly useful.

From building itineraries to finding affordable stops and organizing travel logistics, these are the best ways to use AI before you hit the road this summer.

Creating an itinerary

Before even pulling out of the driveway for that dream road trip, it’s definitely worth checking in your preferred AI tool to plan out your future summer getaway.

Popular AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini Canvas in Google Gemini, Claude, etc.) and even the ones specifically built to arrange trips (Layla, Mindtrip, iMeanAI, etc.) are equally efficient at putting you on the right path towards the best destinations during your travels.

This list of prompts can come in handy whenever you’re interacting with chatbots when you’re looking to be led to the best locales to stop off at during your dream road trip:

• Plan a [number of days] summer road trip from [location] to [location] focused on seafood, beaches, bookstores, and scenic coastal towns. Keep the driving under [number of hours] per day.
• Find underrated summer road trip stops between [location] and [location] that feel cinematic, nostalgic, and uncrowded.
• What’s the best last-minute stop between [location] and [location] if I want to avoid tourist-heavy places?
• Find fun indoor activities near me because it’s raining.

I even asked ChatGPT to come up with an all-in-one prompt that covers every request possible when you’re requesting its aid during your road trip research and planning:

Act like an elite road trip planner, travel hacker, local guide, and budget travel expert.

Help me plan the perfect summer road trip based on my preferences.

Ask me questions one at a time about: My starting location, budget, trip length, travel style, food preferences, interests, music taste, scenic vs. fast routes, hotel vs. camping preferences and who I’m traveling with. Then create a complete itinerary, driving schedule, budget breakdown, packing list, food reccomendations, hidden gems, scenic stops and backup rain plans. Then, optimize everything for fun, efficiency, low stress, and memorable experiences.

Building a road trip playlist, finding cheap gas and more

Once you’ve gotten the most important step out of the way when planning your summer road trip with the assistance of a chatbot, it’s time to move on to the next steps that will make your experience that much more lively:

• Using the voice chat option in Google Maps to locate the cheapest options to buy gas.
• Building the perfect music playlists for your open road journey with the ChatGPT-enabled Apple Music app and the Claude-powered Spotify “Connector. Spotify also has an app within ChatGPT, by the way.
• If you’re going on a solo road trip and are more interested in vibing out to narratives over music, you can get audiobook recommendations from Audible from right inside Claude.
• You’re going to get the munchies during your time out on the road, of course. In this case, using the Resy Connector inside Claude to find the top spots to grub at during your road trip is worth a try.
• ChatGPT also has access to apps for Expedia and TripAdvisor, which come in handy whenever you’re looking to book a top-rated hotel during your road trip if you’re planning to stay at one.
• Chances are high that you’ll be looking to attend a sporting event or concert during your road travels. ChatGPT apps such as Ticketmaster, SeatGeek and StubHub are reliable enough to find your best prices and seats for those events.

Bottom line

I’m sure most of you reading this right now are staring at your suitcases and muttering to yourself, “soon…”

Heading out on the road with your best friends or enjoying that road trip getaway with your family or even alone, starts to look and sound that much more delightful for folks like me who reside in states that stay colder a lot longer than it remains warmer. When the time finally arrives for you and anyone who wants to come along to take advantage of that PTO you’ve been saving up for so long, spend some time with AI to help you build the perfect road trip itinerary.

Hopefully, my tips will give you all the best ways to make your dreams of hitting the open road for an unforgettable road trip a reality.

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• I asked Google Maps to find the cheapest gas — this hidden feature nailed it
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As a working mom of three, my life often feels like controlled chaos. My oldest is on a travel soccer team, my middle child has special needs and my youngest is a wildcard. From school projects to birthday parties, keeping up with it all isn't easy.

But since I test AI every day and know just how helpful it can be for organization and productivity, I figured I'd try leaning into it for parenting help, too. Hear me out. I'm not talking about robots raising my kids or even in the way Sam Altman said that he "couldn't imagine raising kids without ChatGPT."

The way I'm using AI feels natural and organic. And now that I started using five tools in particular, I don’t think I’d want to parent without them anymore.

1. Gemini

Being a parent of school children, especially in "Maycember" — the month filled with state testing, spirit week, field day and just about anything else that can be crammed into the final weeks of school — is not for the weak.

If your child has ever come home from school saying, "I was supposed to wear yellow today!" you already know that feeling of dropping the ball. Now, I never miss those days because Gemini helps me keep my family calendar under control. So far, I haven't missed anything this month and even managed to remember Teacher Appreciation Week before it ended. If you know, you know.

I even use Gemini for weekend planning. For example, I'll use the prompt: “Help me figure out how to get from a soccer game in [town] to a birthday party in [town].

Other questions have included: “What’s the best route if I need to stop for pizza first?” And, “How early should we leave if traffic is usually bad around 5 p.m.?”

It sounds small, but removing even a little bit of logistical stress makes a huge difference when you’re juggling multiple kids and schedules. AI helps calm the chaos.

2. ChatGPT

ChatGPT has become my instant parenting sounding board. Whether I'm using ChatGPT Voice and Vision to help me put my son's new bike together or immediately need the answer to "What dinosaur weighed the most?" ChatGPT is great in a pinch.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened OpenAI’s ChatGPT and typed something like: “My kids won’t stop fighting — what do I do?”

Or: “How do I explain inflation to a 5-year-old?” Or even: “What’s a calm consequence for a kid who refuses to get ready for school?”

Generations before us had parenting books — many of which I've read. But when I need immediate support, AI can be extremely helpful. No, AI doesn’t replace real parenting advice or experts, it just offer quick advice. Because, in those immediate overwhelmed moments, especially in the afternoon when the kids are bouncing off the walls, it helps me slow down, think clearly and respond more calmly instead of reacting emotionally.

Sometimes I just need a neutral voice that helps me reframe the situation.

3. NotebookLM

Nothing makes me feel old like looking at a middle schooler's homework. I look at the math and it just looks so completely different from the way I learned it. But, NotebookLM is very helpful when I need to help understand homework without frustration.

Whether it's math, science, history or just about any other topic, I simply upload their notes, study material and homework assignments. From there, the AI becomes interactive and helps them with flash cards and quizzes. I can practice with them, or leave them alone and the AI is like a tutor.

The biggest difference is that it removes some of the emotional tension. Instead of me repeatedly saying: “No, that’s not what the question means…” the AI becomes a neutral helper. And somehow, kids are often more willing to listen to technology than their parents anyway.

4. Alexa+ and ChatGPT Voice

I know this one sounds ridiculous, but when I'm on a deadline or in a meeting and need my kids to just "give me 5 minutes," I let them talk to AI. If you're a parent of young children, you already understand how valuable five uninterrupted minutes can feel.

Sometimes I’ll use Amazon’s Alexa+ to play games, answer silly questions or entertain my kids while I unload groceries, cook dinner, answer and important email, clean or mentally recover for two seconds.

Alexa+ has a "fart pack" that my kids have enjoyed. And yes, I’ve also handed ChatGPT Voice mode to my toddler before. But beyond that, both AIs have games that are fun for kids to play. Rock, paper, scissors is a favorite in our house.

And no, I don't let them use AI all day. But in those moments where I desperately need a breather? It genuinely helps. The funny part is that toddlers love talking to AI because it never gets tired of answering questions like: “What if a dinosaur ate macaroni on the moon?” Honestly, sometimes the AI has more patience than I do by bedtime.

5. Google Maps

I genuinely don’t think modern parenting works without Google’s Google Maps anymore. My life is basically soccer fields, gymnastics competitions, birthday parties, grocery runs and trips to the trampoline park.

Google Maps has become the invisible system holding all of it together. Whenever my son's travel soccer schedule comes out for the season, I always say, "Where is this town?" Or "I've never heard of this place!" more times than I can count.

That's why the real-time traffic updates, alternate routes, accurate arrival times and even savings on gas, remove so much stress from daily parenting logistics. And when you’re driving exhausted kids across New Jersey, those things matter.

Final thoughts

When I first started using AI regularly to help me parent, I felt a little guilty. Generations before us were able to parent just fine, why couldn't I handle it all? I could and know I can, but when modern conveniences are available that actually help me stay calm and be a better parent, I say why not go for it?

None of these tools are replacing human connection, patience or real parenting.

But they are helping reduce friction in everyday life and sometimes that tiny reduction in stress is the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling capable. As a mom of three, I’ll take every little win I can get.

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There’s an inherent advantage to using a vehicle's stock navigation app, as it often provides more accurate battery data than Google Maps running via your phone. However, Google Maps is a core feature of Android Auto that makes any road trip a breeze — and thanks to a recent update, it’s making travel even easier for EV owners with new AI-powered features.

After adding your EV to the app, you can use Google Maps to plan your next drive, complete with battery stats and planned charging stops. The key improvement here is that the app combines the data you supply regarding your specific vehicle's energy consumption with real-time traffic, weather, and elevation changes.

There is some initial setup required, but once it's done, you can instantly start planning EV-optimized routes. Here’s how to enable Google Maps to deliver accurate battery predictions for your electric vehicle.

Google's announcement states that you need to manually enter your EV's current charge level. However, when I planned a trip in my Ford F-150 Lightning, Maps already knew my truck's battery status. Your experience may vary.

When viewing the route, you'll see your charging stops along the way, including the estimated time you'll spend at each. There's also an option to remove specific stops or all of them from the route — if you do, Maps will show you the exact spot where your car is projected to run out of juice.

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My hometown of New York City has an abundance of places to hit up whenever the weather is agreeable (before reverting to arctic temperatures at the drop of a hat).

Whenever I’m on the move, Google Maps tends to be my go-to GPS — as a millennial who was forced to print out the directions to Six Flags Great Adventure back in the day, it’s so convenient to have a lady in my phone tell me how to get to my location. With Gemini’s integration into Maps through the "Ask Maps" conversational interface, the app has become even more accommodating when I’m on the move.

Now that my city is getting a bit warmer and allowing me to do more exploring without freezing to death, I’ve been more inclined to discover some local hidden gems. And to do that, I tested Gemini in Google Maps to see where it could lead me based on a few helpful vocal commands.

Thankfully, it helped me find a wealth of new places worth touring.

Discovering new restaurants, arcades, record stores and comic book shops

Accessing Maps, using it while in navigation mode and simply saying “Hey Google” during my walkable routes turns Gemini into the perfect tour guide. For my fellow foodies, these are the three best prompts I use whenever I’m looking for a new place to eat:

• Show me some under-the-radar spots in [neighborhood] that locals love but tourists usually miss.
• Are there any hole-in-the-wall restaurants nearby that have a 4.5+ rating but fewer than 200 reviews?
• I’m looking for a place with a cool vibe and a unique aesthetic that serves [type of food].

The first prompt led me to a wonderful spot in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, called “Cafe Mado,” which just so happens to be located near the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Once I saw how useful Gemini in Google Maps could be as it steered me toward the next restaurant worth frequenting, I used other vocal prompts to push me in the right direction toward its recommended NYC record stores, comic book shops and arcades.

These are the vocal prompts I use to come upon any worthwhile spots from those three categories:

• For record stores: Find me a record store nearby that specializes in rare vinyl or has a great selection of 90s hip-hop or I’m at [current location]. Suggest a cozy record store I can walk to in under [time limit] that is still open for at least [time limit].
• For comic book shops: Are there any comic shops around here that have a wide variety of comic books from major and independent publishers? or Find a comic book shop near a highly-rated coffee house so I can read my new books immediately after buying them.
• For arcades: Find an arcade with vintage pinball machines and a dive-bar feel or My friends and I want to go to a retro arcade, but we also need a place that has good food. Can you find a spot that hits both?

On the record store front, Gemini in Maps introduced me to Human Head Records in Brooklyn. For comic book shops, Galaxy Collectibles — another standout Brooklyn spot — popped onto my radar as a highly rated store worth visiting. And the arcade Gemini helped me discover was Rullo’s, a Brooklyn hangout whose dive-bar atmosphere and lineup of pinball machines instantly spoke to my soul.

Beyond the places I chose to visit, Gemini in Maps also surfaced plenty of comparable spots tied to each of my hobbies. Now, as spring turns to summer, I can already see myself relying on my AI tour guide to map out routes to Needle + Groove Records, Everyone Comics & Collectibles and Coexist GameHouse.

The takeaway

Strolling through my city in search of a new favorite spot has quickly become one of my favorite hobbies now that Gemini in Maps works through voice chat. It turns wandering into something more useful, helping uncover places I might have walked past for years without noticing.

I’d recommend putting it to the test yourself to see whether it can guide you to somewhere new that instantly earns a place on your weekend list.

It’s also worth asking follow-up questions like, Why is [name of recommended place] considered a hidden gem? That extra context can help you learn what makes each recommendation special before you even arrive.

Have fun exploring and don’t worry about looking strange to passersby while chatting with Gemini about underrated dive bars, tucked-away cafes or neighborhood favorites worth checking out.

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Google Maps is getting updated all the time, but as a U.K.-based individual, I often have to wait a while before a lot of the best new features are actually available. For example, the Immersive Navigation update, which started rolling out in the U.S. and India last month, has failed to materialize on my English phone thus far.

So imagine my surprise when I found out Google Maps quietly rolled out an update solely for the U.K. Well, England, because apparently the rest of the U.K. wasn't formally invited to this party — even if I did see some stray bus details in parts of rural Wales.

The update is actually the result of the partnership between Google and the U.K.government, which explains that whole exclusivity thing. The goal is to allow passengers in England to track buses in real time, with an emphasis on rural areas, where you may only get a single bus a day.

Few things are worse than standing at an unsheltered bus stop, braving the English weather, and having no idea whether the bus is actually going to show up or not.

The new bus support is basic — but useful

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I first heard about Google Maps' newfound love of English buses. The update came with almost no fanfare, and I can't even see a Google blog post about it — just a brief mention in an official U.K. government press release.

The buses in my local area are quite well regarded, and one of the reasons is the official app that shows you the real-time location of each bus on a map of the local area — with updates happening every 10 seconds or so. In my mind, I had envisioned a Waze-looking map interface, showcasing all the different buses across England with a variety of designs.

Sadly, Google has not gone this far, and the implementation of this bus data is actually pretty basic — though that doesn't make it any less useful. You may not be able to track the physical location of a specific bus, but Google Maps will warn you if your bus has been delayed and won't be arriving at the scheduled time.

You need to start the navigation process to see all this, with the routing set to use public transport. In the list of route options, you'll see the word "delayed" in red lettering, warning you that timings are off. Tapping that particular option will then tell you how much of a delay to expect and the new estimated arrival time.

Crucially, this updated ETA means Google can adapt to transit delays and offer new routes accordingly. That way, if there are multiple bus routes you could take, Google will showcase the most efficient ones based on when the bus will actually arrive. Likewise, knowing your arrival time might be delayed lets you find alternative arrangements right there within Google Maps.

Local transit apps have shown how Google Maps could improve

Remember how I said I envisioned a Google Maps with buses moving along the map in real time? It sounds a little odd, but it's something that can be done. In fact, the company that runs all my local buses has its own app, complete with a real-time map of all the vehicles in operation. It's not the only one, either, with various local transit apps offering that real-time visualization of where their vehicles are.

So not only can you see all the bus stops and live departure information, but you can also see exactly where the next bus is and follow its progress along the map. There's a huge amount of difference between knowing the bus should be two minutes away and being able to see that it's actually a mile down the road.

If these are features that a local government can put together, with all the budgets and financial pressures that entail, then it's definitely something that a multi-trillion-dollar company like Google can accomplish.

Google Maps is pretty cluttered, though, so this would have to be one of those map features you toggle on and off, but there's no logistical reason why this couldn't be done. Google could even utilize AI to better approximate the movement of each vehicle between updates.

I should mention here that none of this data is directly collected by Google; instead, it's seems to be coming from the Bus Open Data Service (BODS), which features detailed information about buses across England. This includes vehicle location, fares data and timetabling, and essentially does all the hard work for services like Google and any other interested parties. You can even see some bus delay information in Apple Maps, though so far I can't find any announcement to verify how long it's been there.

Still, with the data already collected, there's certainly room for Google to expand upon it and add better functionality for those people who don't necessarily drive everywhere. Because why should cars get all the cool new features?

Bottom line

It's nice to see that Google Maps is adding features in my area, even if it is a small quality-of-life update rather than something incredibly extravagant. Considering how important buses and other forms of public transit are to people across the U.K., it's great to see more of the data it generates being put to good use.

It is a very basic addition, and I would like to see Google expand upon other things to offer better and more immersive features for regular public transit passengers. But this is certainly a good start, and I'd like to see it rolled out to a much wider area — ideally starting with the rest of the U.K.

I imagine that the rollout will be limited by the amount of data collected and made available by public transit authorities. But that shouldn't stop Google Maps and other navigational apps from boosting their public transit presence wherever they can.

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Part of the joy of living in New York is finding new types of cuisine. Quality restaurants are abundant in my city and it always amazes me how many of them cover different cultures and the types of food they specialize in.

I’m always quick to scour my Instagram discovery page since it's filled with posts themed after “cool places to eat” and “unique foods you didn’t know existed.” A quick Google search also works wonders for me whenever I’m on the lookout for a new place to dine at and eventually keep on my list of the best restaurants in the city.

Now that I’ve gotten a lot better at this whole AI prompting business, I got inspired to test ChatGPT’s ability to be my new restaurant recommendation assistant. With the following 10 prompts in my back pocket, I found a host of new eat-in places to enjoy thanks to ChatGPT’s helpful responses.

Embarking on new quests for delicious cuisine is so much easier now, thanks to ChatGPT.

Prompting new selections for lunch and dinner

When the time arrives for me to finalize a new restaurant pick to consider and do my background research on, I tap into one of these 10 prompts for specific situations instead of using the overly generic prompt What’s good near me?:

• Searching for a specific restaurant for date night: Find me the best cozy date-night restaurants near me with dim lighting, great wine, and a quiet atmosphere.
• Cheaper alternatives: What are the best affordable [price range] [type of food] spots near me that locals actually love and aren’t tourist traps?
• Hidden Gems: Show me underrated or lesser-known restaurants near me that have amazing food but aren’t widely talked about.
• Looking for a specific dish: Where can I find the best [type of food] near me right now? I want top-tier quality.
• After dark munchies: What are the best places near me that are open late right now and still serve great food?
• Solo dining selections: Recommend the best restaurants near me for a solo dinner where I can eat well and not feel rushed.
• Restaurant comparisons: Compare the top five [type of food] restaurants near me and tell me which one is actually worth it and why.
• Ignoring social media hype and looking for highly reviewed options: What restaurants near me have consistently great reviews across Google, Yelp, and locals—not just viral hype?
• Looking for good food and good vibes: Give me restaurants near me where the experience is as good as the food (ambiance, service, unique concept).
• Three Options, Three Vibes: Give me 3 can't-miss restaurants near me tonight—one casual, one mid-range, and one upscale.

Delicious results

With any of these 10 prompts, ChatGPT has more specific details to work with when it combs every corner of the web to find me my next food destination spot.

And for each of these requests, I make sure to follow ChatGPT’s responses with the question Which one would you pick and why? It’s always fun to see what my chatbot food assistant would want to dine at if it had the ability to physically enjoy the finest Thai cuisine in New York City.

As an example of some of the best restaurants I ended up choosing based on the results delivered by ChatGPT on behalf of the third prompt, the underrated spots I found near Bryant Park in Manhattan are Café China, DONDON KOREAN BBQ, Mitr Thai and Los Tacos No. 1.

ChatGPT did a fine job of finding the top options for that prompt by displaying a map with each option attached to its star rating, a summary of what it has to offer, contact details, and a direct link to its site. The chatbot also supplied me with bonus restaurant recommendations and general advice on how to spot the real hidden gems in my area (such as “the best underrated spots tend to have small interiors or odd entrances like upstairs spots”).

To narrow down my options even further, ChatGPT offered to find the best cheap lunch spots under $15, date-night hidden gems near Bryant Park, or the absolute best single dish to order in this area. And, of course, I asked the chatbot which one of those options it would ultimately choose on its own.

The takeaway

ChatGPT helps steer me toward restaurants I might not have known about before and helps me build a go-to list that I can bring up for future solo and group hangouts.

The 10 prompts I use aren’t just great for finding great places to eat in my hometown—they’re also great to use whenever I find myself in a location while on vacation.

If packing on a few extra pounds because of ChatGPT’s dining recommendations is the price I have to pay to keep my hunger at bay, then so be it.

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Google is rolling out changes to its popular Maps platform that will make it easier for anyone to post photos, reviews, videos and other content to help them boost their Local Contributor status.

Most of the changes involve integrating Gemini into Maps to speed up processes. If you’re sick of scrolling endlessly through your photo library or writing complicated captions, you’ll love the updates coming to Google Maps.

And if you don’t care about sharing yourself, the fact that Google's making it easier for other people to post content will still benefit you, as you’ll find more places you’re considering about going to have photos and videos to browse.

What’s new in Google Maps?

There are three core updates coming to Google Maps, and they’re built around user contributions rather than traditional navigation.

The first big change is that Google is making it easier to find the right image for sharing. Rather than endlessly scrolling through images, Google will suggest photos and videos from your recent experiences, highlighted directly in the Contribute tab, saving contributors time and effort. This means it’s just a matter of you tapping and posting the content that works for the place you’re sharing.

This feature is now available globally on Android and will expand to iOS in the coming months.

The next update leverages the company’s popular Gemini models to suggest a draft image caption, saving you time. Once you choose the photos, either manually or via the update above, the AI tool will analyze them to generate captions that you can edit or replace with your own words if you don’t like what it spits out. Caption suggestions are now available in English on iOS in the U.S. and will expand globally and to Android in the next few months.

The final update focuses on helping Google Maps contributors to see how they’re doing overall. Now, total points will be displayed directly on the Contribute tab, and Local Guide levels will be more prominently featured on profile pages. Google is also updating its achievement badges so it’s easier to see if you’re an expert fact-finder, a master photographer, or a rising novice.

For people who enjoy writing, posting and generally sharing on Google Maps, these features are now rolling out to Android, iOS and desktop.

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You check traffic before leaving, but still hit rush hour. You circle a parking garage for ten minutes looking for a spot, then forget which level you parked on when you return. You leave earlier than necessary because you're guessing how long the trip takes instead of knowing.

These are the most common travel headaches, and most people don't realize Google Maps can solve all three. Beyond basic turn-by-turn directions, Maps has features that tell you exactly when to leave based on live traffic, show parking options before you arrive, and drop a pin so you can navigate back to your car later.

Here are three Google Maps features that eliminate the guesswork, stress, and wasted time from everyday travel.

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One of my biggest EV gripes is that EV-specific navigation, with routes that account for your charging needs, has only been available with the built-in navigation system. If your car's navigation is awful, like mine, you're essentially cut off from that crucial piece of tech — and completely reliant on mobile apps like Google Maps.

But Google is changing that, and has announced that AI-powered charging predictions will be coming to Google Maps for over 350 different electric vehicles. Essentially, this means Google Maps will be able to calculate when it thinks you'll have to stop to recharge, recommend an appropriate stop for your route, and account for charging time in your ETA.

Opened up to more cars

Obviously, Google Maps already does this if you have one of the "cars with Google built-in," which run on a version of Android. In those instances, Google Maps is hooked into the car's computer and can read battery information in real time — which isn't what's happening here.

This new system works with Android Auto (sorry iPhone users), which runs on your phone and doesn't link up to the in-car computer. Instead, you'll need to enter your EV's information into Maps, along with your battery percentage. Once Google knows what car you have and how big the battery is, it uses AI to calculate a route based on road elevation, real-time traffic levels and weather data.

It's important to remember that this is only an estimate, and without access to real-time battery data, Google Maps can't automatically update the route as you drive. Certain apps can do this with a link to your car's OBD-II port, but that's not something Google is offering.

This means that factors affecting driving efficiency that Google doesn't know about, such as a roof rack or a trunk full of heavy stuff, will drain your battery much faster than Google Maps can predict.

So be sure to keep tabs on your battery level, and be aware that Google's estimates are not Gospel. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the highway because you decided to put all your trust into a mobile app.

Google Maps is rolling out its new AI-powered battery predictions in the U.S. right now, with support for 15 brands and over 350 different EV models. While we don't have a full list of the exact cars, Google has confirmed that the following brands are supported:

• Audi
• BMW
• Chevrolet
• FIAT
• Genesis
• Hyundai
• Jaguar
• Kia
• Lexus
• Lucid
• Mercedes-Benz
• Nissan
• Porsche
• Subaru
• Toyota
• Volkswagen

Cars that run on Android directly, like Polestars, aren't included. Nor are the car brands that don't support Android Auto, like Tesla or Rivian. Then again, they all have their own charging-friendly navigation systems that will probably do a better job.

If you're unsure about whether your car is part of this, you can put your vehicle into Google Maps and see if estimated battery usage is available. You just need to be in the U.S., and have Google Maps 25.44 and up on an Android phone. Considering version 26.13 was released last week, updating should be fairly simple.

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When news broke that Nottingham and Derby councils in England had collaborated on a new transit app for both cities, combining the many (MANY) transit providers in the area and offering real-time tracking and in-app ticket purchasing, residents—especially my navigationally-challenged self—were pretty pleased.

Most transit companies' apps are, to put it politely, absolute steaming garbage. So, trying to navigate between them all to complete one relatively simple journey is maddening at the best of times.

However, given that English councils are notoriously cash-strapped at the moment, there were some raised eyebrows about the cost: A hefty £4 million ($5m) of taxpayer money. Considering Nottingham City Council effectively declared itself bankrupt in 2023 and Derby City Council recently hiked taxes by the maximum allowed, it's fair to wonder where exactly the money for Ride East Midlands, as the app is called, came from.

The answer, pitchfork-carriers will be pleased to hear, is the government. A £15m ($20m) grant from its Future Transport Zones (FTZ) programme covered the cost as part of a bigger scheme to improve mobility in the Midlands. This does mean the money still came out of the public's pocket, but the government does have a few more pennies to play with than your typical beleaguered city council.

Who's this app for?

In short, this app is for people like me: people who a) live in the cities of Nottingham or Derby, b) sometimes like going to places in those cities, and c) would prefer not to get hopelessly lost on the way.

Without assistance, I go in the wrong direction almost 100% of the time. Worse, I'm completely, totally certain that this time I've gone the right way. Then I find myself back where I started and my partner laughs at me.

I've gone the wrong way on the London tube, despite doing the same journey every day, and ended up at the wrong end of the line after the last train had left. I've gotten lost making the five-minute journey from my office to the lunch place around the corner. When we moved into our house, I got lost several times in the first week. It's not exactly a large place, but in my defence, the floor plan is absurd.

In short, I am this app's perfect customer: If it helps me get where I'm going without having a little cry, I will use it forever.

Why does Ride exist?

Understandably, people have questioned the need for so much money and council time to be used on yet another travel app. Google Maps launched in 2005, which is apparently 21 years ago (time flies) and fulfils most people's navigational needs for zero dollars (and access your data).

The idea for Ride East Midlands is sound, though. What do a bunch of Californian programmers know about getting around the dodgy end of England's 22nd largest city?

Judging by Google Maps' pronunciation of U.K. place names, absolutely nothing. Plus, there really are a ton of independent companies running the bus, train, tram, e-scooter, e-bike and car rental services here. Nobody wants to deal with all their separate ticket systems, timetables and schedules when they're running late for their mom's goldfish's birthday party.

In addition to the "one app to rule them all" approach, Ride East Midlands offers several tempting features that Maps doesn't:

• Track buses in real time
• Buy tickets for all travel operators without needing apps and accounts
• View the location and battery level of e-bikes and e-scooters
• Find and book rental cars
• Set preferences for operators, types of transport and how far you're willing to walk

These features make Ride more akin to apps like Citymapper, which is excellent but only works well in major cities, or TfL Go, which only works in London. It's kind of nice to feel like Nottingham and Derby are as worthy of a specific app as the big metropoles, even if it does come off a bit like a throw pillow that says "New York. Paris. Jacksonville."

Does it actually work?

I had a bunch of old tech I needed to sell to CeX, a national retailer that is best described as a kind of pawn shop that only sells used games and tech. It's slightly more glamorous than it sounds, and after looking up my nearest branch (Beeston), I asked both Ride and Google Maps to plot me a course.

Setting up

Instantly, I remember why public transport is considered such a hassle around here. To get to Beeston, which is 6.4 miles from my house, I have to go all the way to the city centre (5.1 miles) and then all the way back out (4.6 miles). In other words, I'm travelling 10 miles to go 6 miles. That's one way, and it doesn't account for the inevitable return trip.

In a car, this journey takes around 15 minutes, depending on traffic. On public transport, it will take one hour and one minute according to Google Maps or 57 minutes according to Ride. It seems that $5m might have been better spent improving routes through the city.

Setting up Ride, it asks me to sign in to something called "Trafi.com". I go to the URL and find it's an app to "connect and integrate all the mobility options — from public transport to micro-mobility into a single multi-modal journey planning platform."

If that looks and sounds familiar, it's because it's the same blasted app as Ride. That's plainly obvious if you superimpose the Ride homescreen next to their press image:

Oh. So this isn't a brand new, coded-from-scratch piece of tech — which would go some way to justifying the price tag. It's a white-labelled pre-existing app that they've fed data and branding into. That's much less impressive.

Worse still: According to Trafi's press release, licensing their app for Nottingham and Derby cost £2.6m (about $3.5m) of the £4m ($5m) budget. Oof.

The Nottingham and Derby version is on the Trafi website, but it looks like it was put up in a hurry. The URL ends in "/copy-of-brussels-floya" while the page title is Trafi: Floya app (Brussels). Floya is the version of the app you'd find in the Belgian capital city.

To make matters worse, the quote from Ride's programme manager is less than inspiring:

After grumbling about misleading marketing, I set my travel preferences in Ride. I go for the big three: bus, train and tram. I'll leave the e-scooters to the teenagers and the rental cars to people who can actually drive.

Setting off

Both apps inform me that I need to walk to a bus stop, get a bus to the train station, change over to a tram heading towards Beeston, then walk to CeX.

Ride and Maps agree on the bus I should take, but disagree on what time it'll arrive: Google says 4.13 p.m., Ride says 4.15 p.m., and the supposedly real-time tracker at the bus stop itself says 11 minutes (4.17 p.m.).

In the end, the bus came at 4.16 p.m., so they were all wrong, but I did get to watch it trundling along in real time on the Ride map.

While we wait, I try Ride's key feature: the ability to buy a bus ticket within the app. It immediately redirects me to the NCT bus operator's website, which wants me to make an account. Annoyingly, even though the app directed me to the website, the ticket I bought there did not appear in Ride.

Both of these things have apparently been fixed in the weeks since.

On the bus

Both apps offer a list of the 27 stops between here and the station, and allow you to watch yourself progress through them in real time. However, the Ride app kept randomly losing GPS signal, and often got stuck at a stop for ages before suddenly catching up. Google Maps, using the same phone, had no such issues.

Google also proved superior in that it counted down the stops and time remaining, so when I'd gone 8 stops, it said "Ride 19 stops (16 min)." All while Ride still said "27 stops, 24 min".

Maps also had a nice little nav ribbon that stayed on my notification bar, and a bigger one when I pulled down the notification shade with a journey progress bar. This is part of Android 16's Live Updates feature, and while still in its infancy, it's a very helpful feature to have.

Along the way, I found one of the stops had slightly changed its name, according to the location screen and announcement on the bus itself. Neither Google Maps nor Ride knew this, but Google does provide the official NCT bus stop codes, which Ride doesn't.

Google also knew the bus departed late and gave the new time, which Ride did not. Perhaps those Silicon Valley types know more about Nottingham than I gave them credit for.

Next leg

Having arrived at the (gray and rainy) Nottingham train station, Ride directed me to the tram stop. The route it chose was directly through the station building, which wasn't obvious to me at all, and left me looking for roads that didn't exist.

That said, my partner, who has a normal sense of direction, knew exactly what it meant, so your mileage may vary.

I succeeded in buying a ticket for NET (Nottingham Express Transit, the tram company) from within Ride as promised. Success! It even showed up on the tickets page.

At this point, Ride was telling me the tram would be here at 4.47 p.m., but wouldn't let me watch it on the map. Apparently, there's no real-time data for trams, which is disappointing. Maps said 4.47 p.m. too, but the sign at the tram stop said 5 minutes (4.50 p.m.).

At 4.47 p.m., Ride and Google Maps decided the tram had gone, and started showing me the next one. It arrived at exactly 4.50 p.m., suggesting the real-time tram boards have better data than the apps. Ride East Midlands admits it doesn't currently have tram data, but I assumed that was because there wasn't any. But if the departure boards have that information, why doesn't Ride?

Again, Google Maps knew the tram left late and at what time, Ride didn't. Worse, Ride was telling me several stops before the end of the journey that we'd arrive at 5.03 p.m. when it was already 5.04 p.m. It seems it was religiously adhering to the scheduled times and not accounting for delays. Google suggested we'd arrive at 5.09 p.m. and we got there at 5.10 p.m. Close enough, I guess.

Last leg

Time to walk to CeX, which Google says is 6 minutes and 0.2 miles away, Ride says 5 minutes and 405 meters (0.25 miles). Once again, Ride doesn't count down and still says 5 minutes when we get there, but it does show our progress in real time on the map. As does Google, which automatically updates to show we've arrived.

At the start of the trip, Google predicted we'd arrive at 5.09 p.m., Ride at 5.07 p.m. Our actual time of 5.16 p.m. isn't bad compared to those estimates, but once again, the American Google Maps beats out locally-made (well… locally branded) Ride for accuracy.

Once I'd traded in my tech, I asked Ride the way home, took one look at the giant list of instructions and ordered an Uber.

Since I didn't swipe through all the screens of the entire journey and press "finish," Ride was still running when I opened the app a week later. It was telling me to walk back to Beeston so I could start my journey home. that's definitely not happening.

Would I use Ride again?

I'm basically Ride's key customer. I live in Nottingham, can't navigate to save my life, and can't deal with all the transport apps. However, I'm not sure I'd use it again.

I'll keep it on my phone, and if I feel like Google Maps isn't doing a good enough job or I want to watch my bus in real time, I might open it. But for step-by-step navigation, it wasn't as good as the much more intuitive Google Maps.

I definitely don't want to sign up to all the operators' websites to buy tickets in the future, but you don't actually have to. You can make contactless payments on buses and buy tram tickets at the machines.

Ride just doesn't add enough to make it worth the glitches and information gaps, and as for being worth $5m—especially when it turned out to be developed by someone else—I personally don't believe that it's value for taxpayer money.

Like me trying to navigate, it's neither here nor there.

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Gas prices near me have been all over the place lately. More than just going up, they've been inconsistent.

I’m not talking about a few cents here and there. I’ve seen differences of 30 to 40 cents per gallon within a few blocks. And after a while, it started to bother me. Not enough to obsess over, but enough to wonder:

How much money am I wasting driving extra miles to the closest gas station?

So instead of guessing — or defaulting to the gas station around the corner — I opened Google Maps and actually used it to find the cheapest gas nearby.

Google Maps has quietly gotten better at surfacing real-time info

Google Maps is even more useful now thanks to recent updates that have leaned into AI. Users get more natural, question-based searches and smarter recommendations — so instead of just showing places on a map, it’s starting to help you decide where to go.

That shift might sound small, but in practice, it changes how you use it. Instead of tapping the closest option, you can ask better questions — and actually get useful answers.

I started with the obvious search. The first thing I did was use "Ask Maps" and typed “gas near me” into Google Maps.

Right away, it pulled up a list of nearby stations — but what stood out was that many of them showed live price estimates for regular gas. I could instantly see which stations were cheaper and which were not.

And the difference was bigger than I expected. One station less than a mile away was nearly 25 cents cheaper than the one closest to me, another was a whopping 40 cents more.

Up until recently I just assumed that all the gas stations around me were roughly the same, but Google Maps made me realize what I've been missing.

Google Maps is now so much more than a mapping platform

The "Ask Maps" feature now within Google Maps, makes it a lot more like Gemini. You can use now prompt Google Maps just as you would Gemini as a chatbot, or ChatGPT, for those more familiar with that.

INow, instead of just scanning pins on a map, I started using more natural searches:

“Where’s the cheapest gas near me?”

“Best gas stations on my route”

Google Maps didn’t just show locations, it highlighted options based on distance, price and convenience. This made a huge difference because in a lot of cases, the cheapest option wasn’t the closest — but it also wasn’t far enough away to ignore.

The feature that made the biggest difference

The biggest upgrade wasn’t finding cheap gas near me. Although that was huge and what I originally opened the app. But what made the biggest difference was finding cheap gas on my way.

Using the “search along route” feature while navigating, I could see gas stations that were slightly off my path — but still convenient enough to stop without going out of my way.

The reason that really changed everything for me was because instead of making a separate trip for cheaper gas, I could build it into where I was already going. The other day when I had to drive nearly an hour to meet my friend at the airport, I was able to use Google Maps to find the cheapest gas along the way.

And after trying this a few times since the update, I started noticing something — the most convenient gas stations were almost always the most expensive. Makes sense, but Google Maps put everything into perspective.

In fact, Google Maps shows popular times for many locations, and once I paid attention to it, I discovered that more traffic often meant higher prices (and longer waits). Meanwhile, stations that were slightly further away were consistently cheaper.

The bottom line

I have always preferred Google Maps over Waze, but the latest updates have made it significantly better. Now, I check Google Maps before heading out and compare nearby stations using “search along route.” Beyond the obvious convenience of a more useful app, it's actually saving me money, which is huge right now. Rather than driving around or asking friends where they go for gas, I get prices in real time.

Google Maps made it easier to make a better decision. And now, instead of defaulting to the same gas station out of habit, I take a few extra seconds to check — and that small shift is already starting to add up.

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For years, I used Google Maps the same way most people do. I'd decide to leave, enter my destination, and start my trip. If traffic or delays appeared on the route, I'd see them during navigation and either deal with it or take whatever alternate route the app suggested.

It never occurred to me to check conditions before stepping out the door. Google Maps was something I opened after deciding to go somewhere, not before. Then I started checking the traffic layer first, before leaving.

Now, I avoid the congestion I used to sit through. This one habit saves me 20+ minutes daily, and it's the simplest change I've made to how I use Google Maps.

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The ability to find cheap gas near you is pretty important, especially right now. The cost of living has already increased a lot in the past few years, and the news that gas prices have consistently risen over the past two weeks is going to put an even bigger dent in your budget.

This is far from the highest gas prices we've ever seen. According to AAA, that actually happened on June 14, 2022, when the average cost of regular gasoline rose to $5.016 per gallon, with Diesel peaking at $5.815 per gallon a few days later. At the time of writing, the national average is $3.63 per gallon, but that's still $0.69 more than it was a month ago.

In an ideal world, we’d be able to take public transit or walk wherever we need to go, but the majority of us still need to drive and don’t want to spend our entire paycheck on fuel. Here are some tools and tips to find cheap gas near you.

Tools for finding cheaper gas

Use GasBuddy and the GasBuddy+ card

There are plenty of apps out there that are designed to help find cheap gas near you. But GasBuddy (Android, iOS) is the best known app, letting you search your area for the nearest and cheapest gas pumps.

Though that’s not all. GasBuddy also offers discounted fuel with the "Pay with GasBuddy+ card" system. This is a free Mastercard that can be used to pay at the pump or counter, with a guaranteed saving of $0.03 per gallon. That saving rises to $0.05 at select stations, but can be as high as $0.33 per gallon with activated deal alerts. The card also lets you save $0.03 per gallon for every $25 you spend on non-fuel purchases inside the gas station convenience store.

GasBuddy also offers a premium subscription that promises guaranteed savings of $0.20 a gallon at every pump and $0.22 per gallon at select stations. Activated deal alerts raise the potential savings to $0.50 per gallon, and premium members get two free Allstate roadside assistance callouts per year. GasBuddy+ Premium costs $10 a month or $100 a year.

Download GasBuddy for Android | iOS

Use AAA’s gas price monitor

AAA is more than just a breakdown service; its website also has a bunch of useful information and tools, including one that lets you check gas prices from state to state, and county to county. The best part? It updates every day, so you know the information is reasonably accurate.

In other words, if you’re in a position where you can cross borders in your search for cheap gas, this is a good place to start. Just be aware that the further you have to drive, the lower the savings will be. So don’t rely on AAA’s tool and only AAA’s tool to fill up your tank

AAA can also calculate the cost of gas over the course of a trip. So you can figure out whether the trip is worth it, or at the very least how much you should expect to pay for it.

AAA gas price monitor | AAA trip cost calculator

Compare prices with Google Maps and Waze

Google Maps and Waze have a lot of information about businesses and locations, but did you know they also keep a record of gas prices? All you need to do is search for “gas station” or tap one of the dedicated search buttons, and both navigation apps will bring up a list of gas stations in your local area.

You can’t sort by gas price, but you can tap each result and see what fuel they sell and how much they cost per gallon. Plus, since both apps are designed for navigation, it only takes a single tap to get directions. Google Maps is also set to choose the most energy-efficient route by default, saving you money by using less gas.

Sadly Apple Maps doesn’t seem to offer this feature, though both Google Maps and Waze are freely available on iPhones.

Download Google Maps for Android | iOS

Download Waze for Android | iOS

Use Upside

If you want to be able to do more than just compare the price of gas, then Upside (iOS, Android) is something you might want to consider. The app gives you the ability to compare gas prices around you, but that’s not its main purpose. Instead, it’s built around cashback rewards and discounts — valid for fuel, groceries and restaurants.

The idea with Upside is that you earn money every time you fill up with gas. While prices may initially be higher than nearby gas stations, the fact that you’re reclaiming it after the fact could make all the difference. The cashback can then be redeemed as a gift card, PayPal payment, or sent directly to your bank account.

Download GetUpside for Android | iOS

Other ways to save on gas

Get a Costco or Sam’s Club membership 

Buying in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club is already a great way to save money, but did you know signing up for a membership can also get you a discount on gas?

You can find Costco and Sam’s Club locations across the United States, and a bunch of them also have member-exclusive gas pumps, which are generally cheaper than the rest of the local area. How much you’ll actually pay will vary from location to location.

Sam’s Club (or the pricier Walmart Plus) membership gets you up to $0.05 off a gallon of fuel, provided you don't live in New Jersey. Apparently, selling discounted fuel to members is against the law there. Sam's Club Mastercard holders will also earn 5% cashback on all gas purchases. Sam's Club membership starts at $50 a year.

Meanwhile, Costco sells fuel at wholesale prices and manages to offer gas that’s consistently cheaper than what you’d pay elsewhere. Daily prices at each warehouse are listed on Costco's website. The cheapest Costco membership is “Gold Star,” and costs $65 a year for two membership cards.

That means you and one other person can save on gas for a whole year, while also gaining the ability to shop in Costco stores around the world. Don’t forget about the $1.50 hot dogs either.

Sign up for a Costco membership here

Sign up for a Sam’s Club membership here

Buy gas on the right day

Believe it or not, you may actually be able to save money on gas by buying your fuel on specific days of the week. Combined with some of the other methods for finding cheap gas near you, you could rake in some serious savings.

A recent survey by GasBuddy found that average gas prices were typically lower on Sundays across the majority of the United States. Monday was the second cheapest, on average, while Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are the two most expensive days to refuel.

Consider an EV or hybrid

While it’s counterproductive to tell people to ditch gas entirely, the constant fluctuation of prices can make the prospect of owning an electric car or a hybrid more enticing.

Electricity is also considerably cheaper than gasoline, even with the rising price of oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels. In fact, there are tools online that can estimate more precise savings based on how much you drive, your car's fuel efficiency and how much it would actually cost you to refuel.

Electric cars aren't an option for a lot of people, even if studies have shown that EVs are more cost-effective in the long term. For some, it's the cost of the car itself, and for others, the lack of private parking makes charging considerably more difficult and expensive. In that case, it might be worth picking up a hybrid instead.

That could be a standard hybrid or a plug-in hybrid; both models have their respective pros and cons and the potential benefits will depend on your circumstances. To help you decide, we have crunched the numbers and worked out whether hybrids are actually worth the cost.

Make a point of driving more economically

No matter how much money you can save on a tank of gas, your best way to save money is to make each drop last as long as possible. The fewer fill-ups you need, the less money you will spend in the long term. That means learning to drive more economically.

We have a full list of tips on how to improve your gas mileage, but here are some tips to be aware of.

• Avoid speeding, since fuel economy dives 50mph
• Avoid hard acceleration and harsh braking
• Choose energy-efficient routes with apps like Google Maps
• Engage your car's eco mode
• Minimize climate control where possible. Heated seats use less power than the heater
• Keep your tires inflated, since flat tires increase drag
• Dump the excess weight and external accessories that affect aerodynamics — like bike bars
• Avoid engine idling
• Don't make unnecessary trips, and walk where possible

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Google just announced two big new Gemini features for Google Maps. In fact, Google claims that this will be the "biggest navigation upgrade in over a decade."

The first big change is a conversational feature called "Ask Maps", which is designed to let you ask Google Maps more complicated questions that it never could have handled before. The idea is that this enhances the discovery experience in a way that's faster and more convenient for you, since you don't have to go sifting through reviews or do your own research to find things out.

Examples offered by Google include declaring that your phone is dying, and you need to find a place to "charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee." Or, something a little simpler, like asking about public tennis courts that have lights and are available to use tonight.

Anything you ask about will be answered conversationally, just like any other Gemini feature, alongside a customized map that helps you pick out your different options. Responses will include clear directions and ETAs, as well as insider tips from other Maps users.

The results are also personalized based on what Maps already knows about you — meaning Ask Maps shouldn't offer anything outrageously unsuitable. So, if you only eat at vegan restaurants, it's not going to direct you to a steakhouse, and things like that.

Ask Maps is rolling out to Android and iOS in both the U.S. and India right now.

Immersive Navigation

Next up is Immersive Navigation, which promises a "complete transformation of the navigation experience" thanks to new visuals and more intuitive directions. This is supposed to help you stay focused as you're driving, while still being informed about what's going on around you.

Google Maps is going to change to offer a 3D view of the world around the road, such as buildings and overpasses, while highlighting the crucial road details ahead of you — including lanes, crosswalks, traffic lights and stop signs. Those buildings are transparent too, so they shouldn't get in the way of the actual navigation.

Gemini actually powers this new "spatial understanding" of your route, as Google is calling it. Google Maps is basing its information on Street View and aerial photos to make Google Maps more visually appealing and informative.

But there's more to this than just looks, according to Google. You'll now be able to see more of your route, with smart zooms and transparent buildings helping to highlight difficult areas in advance.

More natural voice guidance

Voice guidance has also been updated to be a little more natural, rather than the flat, robotic GPS voices we've been hearing for the past 20+ years, and will highlight various visual cues to help you prepare for the next stage of navigation.

Google Maps will also ensure you know all the pros and cons of alternate routes before you take them. So if there's a different route with less traffic, but more physical distance involved, you can decide whether that's worthwhile. The same goes for any faster routes that may have things like tolls.

Other useful features coming as part of this update include real-time disruption alerts on your route, and the ability to preview your destination with Google Street View. Part of that also includes Maps highlighting building entrances, nearby parking and the side of the street you'll need to be on.

Immersive Navigation starts rolling out today to users in the U.S., including those with iOS, Android, CarPlay, Android Auto and cars with Google built-in.

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As the U.S. and Iran conflict rages on, oil prices are going up thanks to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. It means gas for your car is getting even more expensive, with the prices already creeping up.

The New York Times reported that gas prices have gone up every day for 11 straight days since Iran began retaliatory strikes against Israel and American allies in the Middle East.

Globally, war can be blamed for rising gas prices. In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, gas prices hit an all-time high of $5.01 per gallon. According to AAA's fuel price tracker, this week the national average gas price hit $3.58 per gallon, which is $0.40 higher than the previous week and nearly a $1 more than February.

Paying more at the pump is inevitable, but there are still ways that you can try and find the cheapest gas near you. Here's how to use Google Maps to save money on gas.

How to use Google Maps to find cheap gas

It's a fairly straightforward process, but the information is in different places depending on if you're using the mobile app or browser version.

Here's how it goes on your phone.

How to use Google Maps to plan a more fuel-efficient route

Since 2022, Google has offered the ability to change your route based on different criteria. One of the available options is "eco-friendly" represented by a little green leaf icon.

The eco-friendly option is on by default, but you should leave it there because it will choose a more fuel-efficient path to help you save gas. Yes, sometimes the route is longer, but it means you'll stop less. Sometimes these routes are also more time-efficient, but you can swap to faster routes as needed.

Do you have any good strategies for finding cheap gas near you? Let us know in the comments.

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Google Gemini has gotten its fair share of upgrades lately. From Gemini Flash-Lite, to NotebookLM's Video Overviews to even Lyria 3, the AI music generator inside the chat, Gemini is clearly a powerful AI assistant.

But I couldn't wait to give the latest update to Gemini Canvas a try, now that it offers AI Mode. So what can it do? Content creation that allows you to draft and edit documents, of course. Plus, you can do some coding, educate yourself on any topic imaginable, draw/edit images and even do some planning for your tasks & events.

I chose to put Canvas’s planning prowess to the ultimate test to see if it’s really worth using whenever I’m looking for something fun to do. I hopped into Gemini, clicked on Tools, activated Canvas, and used it to find activities in NYC that won’t cost me an arm and a leg. Then I asked it to build an itinerary for a destination vacation to Osaka, Japan.

Here’s how it all came together.

Canvas in AI Mode put a list together of the perfect things to do in my city

Having fun in New York City usually entails spending an entire paycheck to get the most out of whatever you’re planning to do.

I love Broadway plays, enjoy eating at a highly rated eatery I came across on my Instagram Discover page, and love spending hours browsing video games & books & vinyl at random Mom & Pop stores. But for my next journey through the city, I’m planning to pursue some free activities instead. So I made good use of this prompt to find those pursuits via Canvas in Gemini: “Build a list of the 10 best free activities to do in New York City this weekend.”

Canvas in AI mode did its thing by compiling a list of said events to check out from March 6 to March 8. Since Friday, March 6, has already passed, I plucked four happenings off of Canvas’ list that appealed to my love of museums, music, clothing, and LEGO.

Take a look at Canvas’ recommendations to see if they fall in line with what you’re trying to do as a local New Yorker this weekend:

• UNIQLO Bryant Park Grand Opening (510 5th Avenue at 42nd St, Friday – Sunday, starting at 10:00 AM): To celebrate their new flagship, UNIQLO is hosting a weekend of festivities. Expect free giveaways, Japanese cultural performances, and interactive installations
• The Jim Irsay Collection at Christie's (Christie’s at Rockefeller Center, Friday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM): A rare, museum-quality public exhibition of historic music and pop-culture memorabilia. You can see Kurt Cobain’s "Smells Like Teen Spirit" guitar and Ringo Starr’s drum kit from the Beatles' debut on Ed Sullivan
• Unclaimed Baggage "Found Report" Pop-Up (2 Rivington Street in the Lower East Side, Friday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM): The famous retailer of lost airline luggage is hosting a surreal pop-up shop and museum. You can browse (or buy) bizarre items found in lost suitcases and check out their "museum of oddities”
• LEGO Star Wars "SMART Play" Experience (Iron23 at 29 W 23rd St in the Flatiron District, Saturday – Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM): A massive interactive experience for fans of all ages. This event features life-sized LEGO builds, hands-on building stations, and photo ops with Star Wars characters

Some of the other tasks Canvas in Gemini completed in relation to my request really impressed me. It included a “Quick Tips” section that gave me all the information I needed about locking in RSVPs for certain events, keeping the change to “Daylight Savings Time” in mind (it’s Sunday on March 8 at 2:00 AM folks, don’t forget!), and what the weather is going to be like.

Canvas in Gemini also went the extra mile by creating an easy-to-read infographic that included a wide range of helpful statistics, such as a categorical breakdown of the event types and an itinerary that displays each day & what to do on them.

It also did an amazing job with global activities

Sticking with the whole itinerary theme, I opted to ask Gemini to build me one for a week-long stay in Osaka, Japan (I’ve been to Tokyo already, so it’s about time I switch it up for my next visit to Japan!).

Canvas must know I’m a dedicated foodie because it outlined a week that encapsulated the "eat 'til you drop" spirit of Osaka. Besides all the food recommendations it made, Canvas in Gemini also made sure to include famous landmarks worth visiting and day trips that would be perfect for cities like Kyoto and Nara.

It also pointed out which card I should obtain to make my transit rides a less cumbersome experience, what devices I should pick up if I want good smartphone/laptop internet connectivity, and the types of restaurants I should keep an eye out for that usually have shorter line queues.

Here’s a look at the first three days and evening plans for what Canvas lovingly referred to as “Osaka: The Ultimate 7-Day 'Kitchen of the World’ Itinerary:

• Day 1 - Neon Lights & Street Food in Minami and Namba: Dive into Dotonbori. Take the classic photo with the Glico Running Man, then go on a "Kuinodaore" (eat 'til you drop) mission: try Takoyaki from a street stall and Okonomiyaki at a local sit-down spot
• Day 2 - History & High Views in the Osaka Castle Area: Visit the Umeda Sky Building at sunset. The "Floating Garden Observatory" offers a 360-degree open-air view of the city skyline
• Day 3 - Theme Park Thrills at Universal Studios Japan: Spend the day at Super Nintendo World (ensure you get an Area Timed Entry Ticket via the app early!) and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Like my previous request, Canvas in AI mode made sure to give me the option to generate an infographic based on my Osaka, Japan itinerary. But it also allows users to turn their inquiries into a web page, a quiz, and even flashcards (those last two options are better suited for professors, students, and researchers).

The takeaway

Canvas is already a powerful AI tool for tasks like writing, planning and coding. Now that it’s integrated with AI Mode, those capabilities are easier to access and use in everyday workflows.

I plan to keep experimenting with this interactive workspace. Because it’s built directly into the Gemini app, Canvas makes it simple to collaborate with the AI on a document, project or prototype instead of relying on a standard chat window.

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So I recently discovered something shocking about Google Maps on iPhone. While the app itself is more or less the same as the Android version, the same is not true for Google Maps on CarPlay. In fact, the whole experience couldn't be more different from what I've always assumed it would be like.

I'm primarily an Android user, and I only really use iPhones for work reasons and don't even have a SIM set up. So when I jump into my car, I've always got my Pixel 10 Pro plugged in with Android Auto up on the main infotainment screen. So imagine my shock when I finally opened up Google Maps on CarPlay and saw just how different it was from the Android version.

Foolishly, having used Google Maps on both Android and iPhone as a solo app, I assumed Google would offer a similar level of consistency in the car. But that's far from the case.

It's like travelling back in time

A brief look at Google Maps on Android Auto and you have all the makings of a modern navigation app. To borrow a phrase from Apple, it just works, and it's rather hard to describe the experience in any other way. You have a recreation of the standard Google Maps interface, albeit squashed into whatever-sized screen your car offers, alongside various features that operate as pop-ups on the main navigation screen.

Destination search, recent search history, a compass, incident reporting, zoom, quick settings — they're all usable and accounted for without covering up the entire map.

You can even use the touchscreen to move around the map, with the same gestures that are usable on your phone screen. The touch controls have been a little janky for me, but I've always assumed that's because my car is now 7 years old and never had a particularly good touchscreen to begin with.

Jumping over to CarPlay is almost like going back in time. The different features and menus cover up the entire screen, and the only movement around the map you can make is with a set of arrow keys. These are all fairly small details on their own, but combined Google Maps on CarPlay looks dated and old-fashioned.

It took me a few minutes to realize that the look of Google Maps on CarPlay looks a lot like Apple Maps with a Google skin. Which shouldn't be the case.

I will not make bold claims about how much more fully-featured Google Maps is on Android Auto. I've checked as best as I can, and the only thing I can see that Android Auto Google Maps has compared to CarPlay is the option to toggle on 3D buildings in the car. Or at least, that's the case in my region, and I can honestly say I don't think iPhone users are missing out on much there.

Still, I couldn't get over the fact that CarPlay Google Maps looks so dated compared to Android Auto. Considering how many people actually own iPhones, you'd think Google would be doing everything it could to try and compete with Apple Maps — which has a lot more system-level support as a result of it being an Apple app.

Google may not be able to integrate with Siri, but there must be something it can do, right? Well, at least part of the problem might be with Apple itself.

Apple has rules for CarPlay navigation apps

Considering Apple is known for implementing a bunch of rules app developers have to follow, I decided to check out the CarPlay developer's guide to see what was going on. It turns out, there are a lot of rules on what you can and can't do with a navigation app if you want it to be compatible with Apple's in-car software.

For starters, there's a rule that prevents developers from drawing "windows, alerts, panels, overlays, or user interface elements in the base view." Base view is the area with the actual map portion of the app. Naturally, Apple has limits on the number of buttons and icons that can appear on Base View, too, and it all may well preclude Google from using its overlay menus as it does on Android Auto.

It doesn't completely get Google off the hook for offering crappy menus, but it does explain why CarPlay doesn't offer the 1-to-1 Google Maps experience you'd find on Android Auto. And this explains why Waze follows a lot of the same rules, even if its unique art style helps it stand out more.

Apple also mandates the use of "panning mode" buttons because "drag gestures are not available in all vehicles." That was actually one of the things I was most confused about, and while I see some of the logic, I still can't understand why my car didn't let me move the map around with touch controls, because they're not prohibited. I guess I just have the wrong kind of screen. Thanks again, Nissan.

I'm not saying rules are bad. Driving is inherently dangerous, and Apple has a responsibility to ensure apps on its platform are safe and easy to use while you're driving. You can't plaster the map view with a bunch of windows and ads that will only serve to confuse the driver, and potentially cause problems.

The fact that Apple has rules in place to ensure a navigation app's voice prompts "work concurrently with the vehicle’s audio system" and " must provide turn-by-turn directions with upcoming maneuvers" makes me wonder what kind of nonsense app developers have tried to pull in the past. Because those are pretty basic and important features to have.

Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of ways Google Maps could work within the rules without making itself look like a terrible Apple Maps clone.

Bottom line

When your rules seemingly force all the competition to look more-or-less identical to your own app, I feel like you should take a step back and try to come up with a better system that allows for a bit more creative freedom. Then again, this is Apple we're talking about, so the odds of that happening are slim.

Google can definitely do a little bit more to make its CarPlay app look a little bit less, well, awful. I know my car's screen doesn't help, because it makes CarPlay look a little more blown-up and pixelated than it needs to be, but it doesn't change the fact that Google Maps just looks kinda bad. And if your app looks bad, why would people want to use it over the (arguably) more capable Apple Maps?

When people are declaring that an app is better on Android Auto, a platform with an awful lot of haters as it is, then you're definitely doing something wrong.

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One of the great things about modern navigation apps is that users are able to report any problems they see on the road. That feature gained traction with Waze, and the idea was that those reports help the app figure out whether it's going to negatively affect arrival time or not. So you're helping other drivers and they, in turn, help you.

Waze is far from the only app to offer it these days. Unsurprisingly, its cousin Google Maps also features incident reporting that works rather similarly. It wasn't always that way, but Google has made a lot of changes in recent years. Not only does it make the process a lot easier, but it also pools its reports in with those from Google-owned Waze.

The question is, which of these apps does the best? They seem very similar on the surface, but is that really the case? I decided to find out, testing the incident reporting process on mobile and using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to simulate the driving experience.

Waze vs Google Maps: Incident Reporting on mobile

Simply opening up Google Maps and Waze on mobile shows a stark difference in the way you can report an incident. Waze has the report button front and center on the app screen, whereas Google Maps hides it until you actually start navigating. That's an easy few points for Waze, and lets passengers or pedestrians report road problems just as easily as drivers. This is true on Android and iPhone.

Waze also makes reporting incidents with your voice a lot easier than Google. The microphone button is prominently displayed at the top of the screen, and the settings menu has something called "Talk to report."

When this option is switched on, tapping the incident icon will automatically turn on the microphone so that you can tell Waze what's going on. However, I could only get this to work on Android, meaning iPhone users will have to do everything manually.

From what I can tell, Google Maps doesn't offer this feature, and attempting to ask Gemini to report an incident ends with the AI offering instructions on what to do. Hardly ideal.

Waze's reporting menu has more on offer, but it's readily apparent that a bunch of the options aren't road issues. It's just another way for users to contribute to Waze's crowdsourced system, by offering information like gas prices, weather, locations and more. At first glance, the number of incident options seems smaller than Google Maps — though this is rather deceptive.

Selecting one of these incidents actually opens up a second menu with more options. Traffic, for example, comes with the option for "heavy traffic" or "standstill," while Police includes general police presence, mobile cameras, hidden officers and police activity on the opposite side of the road.

With Google, what you see is what you get, with little room for nuance and additional context. Police means police, as an example, but there is a separate option to report a mobile speed camera too.

Waze vs Google Maps: Incident Reporting while driving

Incident reporting behind the wheel is a similar experience, though Google Maps on Android Auto has taken more measures to ensure that it's not distracting.

For instance, I was able to use voice commands to report problems without any particular issue. Once I figured out what the right commands were, obviously. I was able to do this with the voice control button on my steering wheel, and using the "Hey Google" wake-up word.

Waze functioned in much the same way. You could file reports with Google Gemini or Assistant, once you know the right combination of words. However, the automatic listening will also kick in if you tap the incident report on your display. While not totally hands-free, the fact that it automatically starts listening means there's one step less than Google Maps.

Once again, things don't work so smoothly with an iPhone. Using Google Maps on CarPlay features zero incident reporting options that I could see. And attempting to use voice commands led to Siri defaulting to Apple Maps. Waze fares a little better since the report button is visible on screen, letting you file reports by hand. But without the Talk to report feature, your options for doing it hands-free are just not there.

Waze offers fewer options while driving, but you still get the same selection of hazards to report across those same submenus. You're just missing smaller things like gas prices, which aren't exactly urgent.

It's worth noting that Waze doesn't give you the option to undo a report. Google Maps does give you about 5 seconds to change your mind before it actually sends the report. That's helpful if you're just trying to figure out how incident reporting works, but I'm not sure it makes much difference in the grand scheme of things.

However, the most important thing is that both apps make it easy to report without having to take your eyes off the road, or by letting whoever is riding shotgun do it on your car's infotainment screen.

Bottom line

if you're using Waze and Google Maps with an Android device, then your experience is going to be very similar. Both offer many of the same general incidents, and let you actually send those reports in ways that are (nearly) identical.

The fact that Waze offers a little more nuance to its reports and features the Talk to Report feature means that it's probably going to be more convenient in the long run. But you won't be missing much if you prefer to drive around with Google Maps over Waze.

The experience on iPhone is totally different, and the fact Waze offers the slightest bit of consistency on iOS gives it the edge over Google Maps. Honestly, as a long-time Android user, I didn't realize just how awful Google Maps looks on CarPlay compared to Android Auto. Google should probably do something about that in the near future. Otherwise, people will end up like Siri and just default to Apple Maps.

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It happens to all of us. When you drive the same routes for work, you can get into the habit of falling back on taking the same roads. But it’s a pitfall to avoid, and drivers need to be reminded about this mistake.

If you’re like me and use Android Auto or CarPlay practically every time you drive, there’s one thing I always recommend doing before you set off. Whether it’s commuting to work, or running a simple errand like heading to the grocery store a couple of miles away, I always recommend that you start up Google Maps before anything else.

After testing the best electric cars for nearly two years, this one innocuous piece of advice will save you the heartache of the unpredictable nature of the road. Here’s why.

Up-to-date traffic conditions

Google Maps is proof of the power of data. With so many active users, it offers some of the most accurate traffic alerts available — the number one reason I recommend it over other apps. In my Apple Maps vs. Google Maps face-off, I highlighted the superior navigation performance of Google Maps during rush hour.

Its ability to detect slowdowns and reroute me accordingly is why I always activate Google Maps whenever I drive. I know exactly which routes to take to and from work, but I still turn it on because it’s proactively looking for the fastest path.

In the past, I would just drive home without a second thought because I knew the way. But this is the mistake I mentioned earlier. On the New Jersey Turnpike, my natural inclination has always been to take the cars-only lanes — but there have been several times when Google Maps directed me to the truck lanes instead to avoid a backup.

Another example occurred during Christmas week while I was heading to Best Buy. The store is only about three miles from my house, but I felt compelled to put in the directions into Google Maps. It’s a good thing I did because the app took me on a roundabout way that avoided all the holiday congestion on my usual route.

Speed trap alerts

Secondly, Google Maps users (often in combination with Waze users) provide data on speed traps and police alerts. While these alerts are dynamically changing, I’ve found them helpful for being more cognizant of other drivers who slam on their brakes after seeing a police car in the median. At the same time, it allows me to better anticipate slower traffic movement in those areas.

I should note that Waze also does an excellent job of this, but since Google Maps now integrates it directly into the CarPlay and Android Auto experience, I have less need for other navigation apps. Apple Maps offers similar alerts, but I don’t find them to be nearly as reliable as Google Maps — and I can say the same for TomTom after testing it out.

Set it to full-screen mode

Another thing I’m guilty of doing when using Google Maps with CarPlay or Android Auto is forgetting to keep the app in full-screen mode. While I like how the dashboard views condense the layout of my active apps, it prevents me from seeing detailed notifications from Google Maps.

When it’s on the home screen, I don’t see the same traffic and speed trap alerts as I do in full-screen mode. Sure, I can still rely on audio cues, but I recommend keeping Google Maps in full-screen to see exactly where on your route these alerts appear.

No matter where you’re going, you really should always run Google Maps with CarPlay or Android Auto. Don’t fall into the habit of overlooking this simple step because I can attest that it will cut down on your driving time, while potentially saving you the headache of dealing with annoying traffic.

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If you've ever gotten annoyed trying to find where to go to lunch or what sites to see while on holiday, then Google Gemini could soon have solutions for you by integrating Google Maps directly into the app.

There have been indications that Google was looking to implement a new Maps tab into Google Gemini, but there was no idea how it would work. All we had heard from a prior teardown was that it would take the form of a new attachment button and work similarly to Google Maps' "Search This Area." However, in a recent teardown, Android Authority got the feature to work on the Google app version 16.6.58.ve.arm64.

The idea is to offer a new tab that allows users to quickly access an in-app version of Google Maps, then use that to attach a specific map area directly to a prompt. Users can ask Gemini questions about that location, for instance, restaurant suggestions, tourist attractions, and even hospitals, while getting the benefit of Gemini's more conversational tone and ability to respond to follow-up questions.

When you activate the Maps option in the attachment sheet, you’ll see a full-screen map view with a search icon in the top-right corner, a current location button, and a larger button to explore the area at the bottom. You can also opt to zoom in or out of the selected area before you attach it, while tapping the explore area adds the whole chosen region to your Gemini compose box.

There’s also a search UI option that lets you look up places, or you can choose a precise location to have Gemini focus on a specific place. However, according to the report, the feature wasn’t entirely accurate in its information. Apparently, the current version is capable of recognizing intent when it comes to questions and requests, but it isn't capable of reducing suggestions to precise locations.

How has this taken so long

While the feature might not be working quite right just yet, the actual idea is a solid one, which could lead many to wonder why it has taken so long for Google to introduce the feature.

The reality is that actually implementing Google Maps data directly into a generative AI is complicated and, as the current versions' results show, requires a lot of fine-tuning. However, Google has slowly been implementing more Gemini-backed AI features into the Google Maps app, which shows just how useful it can be. For instance, we saw numerous features within Google Maps improve with the implementation of Gemini, including landmark assistance that helps you better understand your journey.

We've also seen that Gemini, now officially supported in Google Maps, offers walking and cycling routes, bringing a conversational, hands-free experience to more users. Considering Google Maps is arguably the best map app for users who don't drive, this is a major win. We also saw numerous features within Google Maps improve with the implementation of Gemini, including landmark assistance that helps you better understand your journey.

There’s no clear indication of when we could see this new feature appear, but I would hope that we don’t have to wait too long. However, considering the current technical issues reported, we might be waiting for a while yet.

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There's a lot more to Google Maps than simply finding your way around. Google offers a wide range of features and plenty of information designed to help throughout your life. Unfortunately, the company has apparently decided that you're only allowed access to some of that information if you're signed in with a Google account.

If you choose to opt out of having a Google account, or at the very least logging into Google Maps with it, then you're going to end up looking at a stripped-down version. One that gives you directions, but cuts out a lot of other important things like reviews or location images.

Google Maps seems to be treating this as an error, noting that Maps itself might be having issues, while there could be interference from your network or a browser extension. However, the app then suggests that signing in with Google Maps might fix the issue. That's... suspicious, if you ask me.

Because it makes it look as though Google is trying to push people to stay signed in to Google Maps all the time. Hopefully, this isn't the case, because it would be a huge mistake on Google's part.

What's happening, exactly?

The simple explanation is that some users are seeing a very stripped-down view of Google Maps — missing many key features that were previously available. We're not talking things like recent search history or saved places, both of which only work when tied to a specific user. We're talking about very general, but crucially important, bits of Google Maps data.

User reviews, photos and videos of locations, crowd-level graphs, related locations and so on. Maps refers to this as a "limited view of Google Maps", and when prompted for more information, suggests various issues that could be affecting things. Network issues, rogue browser extensions and general issues with Google Maps itself.

Of course, it also claims these issues can be fixed by logging in, and some Reddit users have confirmed they had no issues after doing so.

It is not clear why this is happening or whether it is due to a recent change in Google Maps or a glitch. I have contacted Google for more information and will update this story when I hear back.

Interestingly, I'm not seeing the Limited View message on Google Maps when I'm not logged in. But I am seeing considerably less information than I do compared to a browser window where I am.

When I look at the Natural History Museum in London while not logged in, I get the absolute bare minimum of information. A general overview, address details, contact information and opening times, to name a few. Plus some ads, because this is a Google product we're talking about.

Being logged in is a very different story. Not only can I buy tickets to the museum, with Google Maps redirecting me to various third-party ticketing sites, but I can also see a heck of a lot more about the museum. Full-length reviews, instead of a single 4.6-star rating, useful web results, user-submitted images, and so on.

None of these things actually requires a Google account to work, unlike the "Save" and "Send to phone" options, which are heavily reliant on a Google account. And yet, the latter two are visible regardless of whether you're logged in or not.

Being logged in also means the About tab features a lot more useful information about amenities, parking and what else is on offer when you're logged in. If you're not logged in, you get a summary of the premises and a list of accessibility features. While I'm not sure if that's a legal requirement here in the U.K., it does feel like the kind of thing that could land Google in trouble if it weren't easily available.

Deliberately cutting access to this information would be stupid

Some of it isn't exactly hidden from view. Compared to apps like Waze or Apple Maps, Google Maps can look cluttered and a lot uglier than it really needs to be. So I can see the appeal of having a cleaner Google Maps interface at times.

That being said, straight-up removing this information from users without Google accounts is not the way Google can fix this problem. In fact, doing this deliberately would be the equivalent of Google cutting off its proverbial nose to spite its face.

There are very good reasons why Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps. There's the legacy brand recognition, sure, but there's also the fact that it offers solid and versatile directions regardless of how you're trying to get around. Then there is, of course, the fact that Google Maps has so much information available to users.

Not only can you find places easily and quickly, but you can also see a rundown of all the important information without having to jump into a different app. Opening hours, menus, parking lot information, it's all there and freely available. The trade-off is that Google shows you various kinds of ads throughout the Maps app, and the more people use Google Maps, the more money it can make from advertising.

That gives Google an incentive to make Google Maps as appealing as possible. And you know what's not appealing? Cutting off vital information because someone is using your service without logging into a Google account.

We're still not clear on why this change has happened and if it's a deliberate move by Google. But it is the kind of thing giant tech conglomerates would do, given half the chance. Users being logged in means they have access to even more personal data, and with it they can find new ways to make money — primarily by trying to sell better and more personalized ads.

Honestly, you can't fault people for trying to opt out of that if they can. And until now, Google has seemed pretty content to let them use the Maps app without having to log in first. I can see why it might prefer users to be logged in, but people are fickle and don't like being made to do something they already decided not to do.

The best way to make them log into Google Maps with an account is to make it worth their while. That means adding new reasons to make it appealing, not ripping away what they already have. To just pull that away without warning is not only a pretty bogus move, but it's also likely to push people away and onto another service. Which should be the last thing Google wants.

There's still a lot we don't know

Reddit users noticed the switch a few days ago. With no real change in the time since or any official comment from Google, I'm leaning toward the idea that this change was deliberate rather than the result of a glitch. Though I could be wrong, and this could just be something Google hasn't quite got round to fixing yet.

While Google has been known to make a bunch of stupid mistakes in the past — just look at the ads situation on YouTube — I hope that it has more sense in this instance. There's very little benefit in crippling Google Maps for unregistered users, and while it may convince more people to stay logged into a Google Account, it's just as likely to drive people away. There are plenty of alternatives to Google Maps, after all.

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If you're watching Super Bowl 2026 today, you might want to know how to change the YouTube TV broadcast delay setting. YouTube TV is the best live TV streaming service we've tested, and it's incredibly popular. I even use it all the time for watching sports, including the NFL. So chances are, you're either planning or debating about using it to watch the Big Game this year.

However, if you're a sports fan, you probably know that one downside to watching sports on YouTube TV is that it can suffer from serious lag. I know I'm probably not the only one who's called their parents only to find out they're watching the same game as me ... and they're a minute ahead. According to Phenix, the average lag time while watching Super Bowl 2025 on YouTube TV was 67 seconds. That's over a minute behind the live action on the field.

The good news is that there is a way to reduce some of that lag time without ditching YouTube TV and opting to watch the Super Bowl 2026 with an antenna. In its user interface, YouTube TV has a broadcast delay setting that allows you to reduce your lag time while watching live sports.

There are two caveats: The setting is only adjustable while watching on a TV (no smartphones or tablets), and if you decrease your broadcast delay time, you increase your risk of playback issues. That said, with a strong internet connection, you should be fine. At least, based on my own personal testing, where I've had no issues.

So, without any further delay (because I hate delay), here's how to change your YouTube TV broadcast delay setting so you can watch Super Bowl 2026 with less lag.

Now that you've learned how to change your broadcast delay setting on YouTube TV, you might want to know more about how to watch Super Bowl LX.

Lucky for you, we've got you covered. Check out guides on how to watch Super Bowl 2026 on Roku, how to watch this year's Super Bowl on Fire TV, how to stream Super Bowl 2026 in 4K and how to use a sneaky trick to stream the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl and T20 World Cup for free this February.

If you're watching Super Bowl 2026, you might want to know how to change the YouTube TV broadcast delay setting. YouTube TV is the best live TV streaming service we've tested, and it's incredibly popular. I even use it all the time for watching sports, including the NFL. So chances are, you're either planning or debating about using it to watch the Big Game this year.

However, if you're a sports fan, you probably know that one downside to watching sports on YouTube TV is that it can suffer from serious lag. I know I'm probably not the only one who's called their parents only to find out they're watching the same game as me ... and they're a minute ahead. According to Phenix, the average lag time while watching Super Bowl 2025 on YouTube TV was 67 seconds. That's over a minute behind the live action on the field.

The good news is that there is a way to reduce some of that lag time without ditching YouTube TV and opting to watch the Super Bowl 2026 with an antenna. In its user interface, YouTube TV has a broadcast delay setting that allows you to reduce your lag time while watching live sports.

There are two caveats: The setting is only adjustable while watching on a TV (no smartphones or tablets), and if you decrease your broadcast delay time, you increase your risk of playback issues. That said, with a strong internet connection, you should be fine. At least, based on my own personal testing, where I've had no issues.

So, without any further delay (because I hate delay), here's how to change your YouTube TV broadcast delay setting so you can watch Super Bowl 2026 with less lag.

Now that you've learned how to change your broadcast delay setting on YouTube TV, you might want to know more about how to watch Super Bowl LX.

Lucky for you, we've got you covered. Check out guides on how to watch Super Bowl 2026 on Roku, how to watch this year's Super Bowl on Fire TV, how to stream Super Bowl 2026 in 4K and how to use a sneaky trick to stream the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl and T20 World Cup for free this February.

Google Maps is one of the best navigation apps around. However, it can do more than just show you the quickest way to work, thanks to its Map Layers feature.

I used to only use the Map Layers option to change the look of the actual app, and as such, tended to ignore all the options at the bottom. However, these options, called Map Details, have a lot to offer.

There are seven different layers that you can use with the feature, including: Transit, Traffic, Biking, Street View, Air Quality, Wildfires, and Raised Buildings. Each one adds more details to the map. For example, the Map Detail Traffic option shows major roads with the current traffic, rather than you having to set a destination to see how bad traffic is only on your specific route.

Personally, I am a big fan of the Transit overlay, especially as I usually use Google Maps for public transport, and Waze when I am driving. These details show all the nearest train and bus stations more visibly than the basic map, which often forces you to zoom in to see certain stations. I also quite like the Biking option, which shows off some of the best cycling routes around you.

It’s not just routes that are included, as there is also the Air Quality option that can be a big help for those with breathing difficulties. Alternatively, you can select the Street View option, which shows you precisely which roads support the street view mode, which can be of help when looking to explore an address or location from a more realistic angle.

So, considering how helpful these options are, you might be wondering how to activate them? Well, look no further.

How to access Map Details

The world of navigation apps is an odd one, mainly because the two biggest competitors, Google Maps and Waze, are both owned by the same company. However, Waze is currently missing many of these Map details, and we would hope that Google adds at least the traffic option at some point soon.

In the meantime, let us know if you’ve been using Map Details at the moment, as well as any other hints and tricks you’ve found with Google Maps.

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If you walk or bike to work, Google just dropped some good news. Now, the company's AI-powered navigation assistant is expanding beyond the car.

Starting today, Gemini inside Google Maps will officially support walking and cycling, bringing a conversational, hands-free experience to pedestrians and bike commuters for the first time.

The feature — previously limited to driving — is live now worldwide on iOS wherever Gemini is available, with Android support rolling out over the coming month.

For anyone who has ever tried to text, search or check directions mid-stride (or worse, mid-ride), this update aims to remove the need to constantly tap your screen. Instead, you can simply talk.

What Gemini in navigation actually does

Essentially a conversational co-pilot, users can now navigate a route in Google Maps and ask natural-language questions without leaving the navigation view.

It works similarly to talking to a passenger sitting next to you — except that passenger can pull real-time map data, business listings and scheduling info instantly.

In other words, it's like a built-in tour guide. Pedestrian navigation is where the upgrade promises to feel the most transformative. Instead of stopping to type into a search bar, walkers can now ask questions like:

• “What neighborhood am I in?”
• “What are some must-see attractions nearby?”
• “Are there cafés with a bathroom along my route?”

Gemini pulls from Maps’ location data and nearby points of interest to provide contextual answers while you continue walking. It effectively turns Google Maps into a lightweight audio walking guide layered over turn-by-turn directions.

For cyclists: the upgrade means you know where you're going without letting go of the handlebars. This safety-focused twist is designed to reduce distractions by enabling common tasks through voice alone, such as:

• “What’s my ETA?”
• “When’s my next meeting?”
• “Text Sarah I’m 10 minutes behind.”

Instead of reaching into a pocket or tapping a mounted phone, riders can keep both hands on the bike while still interacting with their schedule or messages.

Why this matters

Voice navigation itself isn’t new — Google Maps has supported spoken directions for years. What’s different here is contextual conversation layered onto navigation, powered by Gemini’s language model rather than rigid voice commands.

In practical terms, that means:

• Less screen dependency while moving
• More natural phrasing instead of memorizing command syntax
• Context-aware answers based on your route and surroundings
• Productivity features integrated into travel rather than separate apps

For urban explorers, commuters and travelers, it shifts Google Maps from a passive directions tool into something closer to a real-time assistant embedded in your journey.

Availability and rollout

There’s no separate download required — the experience lives directly inside Google Maps navigation.

• iOS: Live now worldwide wherever Gemini is supported
• Android: Rolling out broadly over the next month
• Modes supported: Driving (existing), Walking (new) and Cycling (new)

Final thoughts

This expansion highlights Google’s broader push to weave AI assistants into everyday mobility rather than keeping them confined to standalone chat apps. Instead of opening an AI assistant and then switching back to Maps, the assistant now shows up exactly where decisions happen — while you’re on the move.

The iOS-first rollout also reflects the growing relationship between Apple and Google, as iPhone users become increasingly accustomed to using Gemini outside of traditional chat experiences.

For users, the takeaway here is that navigation is becoming far less complicated. Whether you’re exploring a new city on foot or commuting by bike, Google Maps promises to get you there with a simple conversation.

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It’s very easy to forget where you’ve parked your car, particularly when you’ve got a lot on your mind and you’re running on autopilot. Understanding that, Google Maps has introduced a new tool that automatically detects where you parked your car. It will save the location for up to 48 hours , or until you drive elsewhere.

Currently, this feature only works on iPhones — Google hasn't rolled it out to Android devices yet. The good news is it should work automatically without any setup required, and you don't even need to update the app. That said, if it doesn’t work or you’d like it to operate at all times, there are settings you can tweak. Here we take a look at what you need to do to get this new feature on the road and how it works.

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Google isn't afraid to kill features, services or even entire product lines at the drop of a hat. But this week the tech giant restored a feature within Google Maps it had killed off back in 2024. Just in time to hit the slopes.

Following a backlash from skiers and snowboarders, Google has announced it will re-introduce ski runs into Google Maps. Allowing anyone planning a winter sports vacation to find ski trials, lifts and lodges just as they used to.

“We heard from many people who missed having ski information on Google Maps, so we’re bringing ski lifts and trails back this winter,” Google said in a statement shared with ski website POWDER.

The response from Google came after a petition on Change.org from skiing enthusiast Donát Sugataghy reached nearly 3,000 signatures.

"The removal of ski lifts from Google Maps is more than an inconvenience — it disrupts the daily lives of mountain dwellers and hampers tourism, a significant economic driver in mountainous regions around the globe," Sugataghy wrote.

"Let’s collectively urge Google to recognize the value of mountain transport infrastructure as equivalent to other transportation systems and reinstate it on Google Maps. This is not only a concern for ski lovers and hikers but also for the benefit of local residents and economies."

As well as bringing back the missing information, Google has gone further by adding satellite and aerial imagery. Google Maps also hosts information provided by ski resorts themselves, such as chairlift drop-off locations or the end of a run. This kind of information can be crucial for skiers or snowboarders planning their trip.

However, not every resort is currently supported. The likes of Whistler, Park City and Palisades are included but, according to POWDER, you won't find information for Red Mountain Resort in British Columbia or Hoodoo Ski Area in Oregon.

Why did Google remove it in the first place?

Google removed the option to look up ski lifts and trails in October 2024 citing a lack of use from users.

A product manager for Google Maps posted in a thread in the app's help page that: "We launched ski runs on Maps as an experiment years ago as part of our ongoing work to provide people with helpful information.

"Over time, we’ve found that most users don’t turn to Google Maps for this type of information, and that they instead prefer to use maps directly from the individual ski resorts, since they’re seen as the most authoritative source of this information."

If you're planning to hit the powder yourself in the next couple of months, here are the 5 accessories you might want to take with you.

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A new report indicates that Waze may be working on an addition that aims to offer more information regarding local traffic, and it’s one that Google Maps has had for a while now.

Despite being used entirely for driving, the Waze app doesn’t offer many of the same features seen on Google Maps, including showing traffic lights to users. That could soon change as, according to a report from the publication Geektime, Waze is currently testing the feature for drivers in Israel.

According to the report, when using the app to navigate, users can see up to three of the nearest traffic lights at a time. However, if you’re driving around without a specific destination, then the app will show you all the traffic lights that are near you. This distinction is stated in the report to be an attempt to avoid having the screen get too cluttered at any one time, especially when Waze’s social icons are activated.

It is important to note that the addition is stated to still be in very early beta, with many of the traffic lights in Israel not currently being marked. So we can’t be certain when it could roll out to other users, or what form it could take in the end. We hope it's sooner rather than later, as this is a feature that could be a major help when it comes to personalizing route preferences.

As Geektime speculates, you might be able to choose a route with fewer traffic lights. Or you could receive info based on the number of lights in front of you, such as "Turn right at the second traffic light." This addition could result in more accurate arrival times as well.

Waze vs Google Maps: the eternal competition

The first thing to note when it comes to Google Maps vs Waze is that Waze is purely focused on users with a car. So, if you’re planning to take public transportation, then you’re better off with Google’s other app.

We asked Tom’s Guide readers what the strengths of Waze are compared to Google Maps. One of the most praised aspects are the social features that make traffic reports feel more trustworthy. For example, there's a fairly new “Conversational Reporting” feature that upgrades the existing voice controls for incident reporting by integrating Google Gemini, letting you do it more naturally.

Other users praise Waze’s capability to learn your driving habits and the option to quickly pull up the upcoming direction sequence for your journey.

Of course, Google Maps is no slouch, especially after the addition of four massive new features back in November that integrate Gemini into the app as well as help to EV drivers. Meanwhile, Waze recently added an offline mode that helps you to keep on track when you’re out of signal areas.

From my point of view, I tend to think of Waze as the better driving tool, and this new addition for traffic lights only enhances that. Let us know in the comments what you think and which app you find yourself using more.

I recently compared Google Maps vs Waze for a long drive to see which mapping software I preferred when I'm behind the wheel of a car. But that's not all that frequent for me, as I live in London, a city where driving isn't ideal a lot of the time. Instead, I find myself on the London Underground — our version of the subway. What can mapping apps do for me when I'm on the Tube?

Not a lot in the case of Waze, which is entirely driving-focused. But other mapping options, including Apple Maps and Google Maps, promise to help me get from Point A to Point B even when public transit is involved.

With that in mind, combined with how often I’ve helped confused tourists trying to navigate the myriad of tunnels that make up London’s public transport system, I decided to test the two against each other. I’ve been using Apple Maps and Google Maps over the last week while I travelled across the city, making sure to check both buses and even bike rentals, to see which app offers the most up-to-date information, best journey plotting and good alternatives when something goes wrong along the way.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps public transit face-off: Set up

Starting a journey on either Apple or Google Maps is pretty simple for the most part. All you need to do is choose a location and the apps will then offer you the ideal route. However, the differences start to appear when you want to see alternate routes and options to travel.

There is one similarity to note: both navigation apps seem to avoid mentioning alternative modes of transit if the difference in time is too drastic. For instance, it takes around 40 minutes to get the train from my home to work. However, the bus will usually take around an hour and a half. That means I would never take a bus if I followed the apps' recommendations, but it also ignores other complications that can arise with the train — usually in the form of delays.

That said, it is possible to see the other options on Google Maps and Apple Maps, though the latter app is considerably more limited. Apple Maps has four initial options when choosing how to travel, including buses.

In contrast, Google Maps has a myriad of different choices, while also showing options for ride-share apps and bike rental locations with prices. Apple Maps will only show a bike route if you choose it, and even then, it’s only useful if you have your own bike.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps public transit face-off: Accuracy

Receiving up-to-date information on the status of trains and buses is critical when you’re using public transit. You'll want to know when the next service will arrive, so that you have a better idea of when to depart instead of waiting on a platform or at a bus stop for ages.

Both Google Maps and Apple Maps are as up-to-date as one could hope for, right down to predicted arrival times. Apple Maps actually goes one step further, since it also notes what time you’ll arrive at each station (assuming that there are no issues — it’s still the London Underground after all.)

On top of that, the route in Apple Maps also notes the other lines that come into each station, which makes life just a little easier if you need to transfer or take an alternate route.

In terms of accuracy, I think these two apps are about even. However, Apple Maps only gives up-to-date times for the next two trains, with subsequent ones listed as “scheduled.” Google Maps shows several different trains' expected arrival times in real time.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps public transit face-off: How the journey went

I used both apps numerous times over the last week, both on routes that I know well and others that I have less experience with. I also aimed to use train lines that I don’t usually take to really get the full experience. And I took alternative options when, and if, those became necessary.

Apple Maps proved to be much clearer when it came to certain station entrances and exits. If you’ve not experienced London train stations, they can be a bit confusing, as they often have more than one entrance. This can be annoying if you’re not sure of the right exit for your eventual destination. Apple has invested heavily in on-the-ground details, so the app usually details the exact exit you want and offers directions that better match the real world. Google Maps does offer some information on which exit to use, but it’s in small text and not really ideal.

Still, Google Maps topped Apple when it came to looking for detailed alternatives. Over the last weekend, I took a train into the city and, as is often the case, there was a problem that meant I needed to take a detour. That’s where the wealth of options presented in Google Maps came in handy — I could quickly find a new route with little issue. Apple Maps made me work a little harder to find the same option.

Google Maps vs Apple Maps public transit face-off: Verdict

Overall, both apps are perfectly serviceable at navigating public transit, so your choice may come down to which mapping app you prefer for general navigation. Kf you have one of the best iPhones, then I would recommend Apple Maps for taking public transport. This is especially true if you are visiting London as a tourist, as the station directions can be a real pain to figure out.

When it comes to public transit, there are so many factors that can have an impact on the journey. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps are great options, with their own strengths and weaknesses. However, I’d love to hear your preference, as well as your experience while trying to get around without a car, so let me know in the comments.

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Google Maps has a new parking tool that automatically detects where you parked your vehicle and saves that location, plus you can highlight your parking spot with a custom icon.

The feature was recently announced by Rio Akasaka, Senior Product Manager for Google Maps, on LinkedIn (spotted by 9to5Google). According to Akasaka, the new tool lets the navigation app know when you’ve parked, automatically saves that location, and then removes it when you start driving again.

Unfortunately, for Google Maps fans, this feature is only available on the best iPhones, and it’s not clear when or if an Android version will launch.

Saving your parking spot in Maps isn’t a new feature. You could already do so manually by tapping your location on the map and then hitting Saved Parking. The icon marking the spot stays for 48 hours or goes away when you start driving.

Android has a similar feature, but the icon will only go away if you remove it. This is the first time the tool has been automatic.

“To help you find where you left your car, Maps automatically saves your parking location. It stays saved for 48 hours unless you remove it or start driving,” a Google support page says.

You do need to be in your car and connected via USB, Bluetooth or CarPlay for the feature to work. “Once you're done driving, there's a little pin waiting for you when you open Google Maps next-- a personal parking Maps valet, just for you,” Akasaka says.

According to Aksaka, the automatic parking spot saving started rolling out a month ago. The new feature, coupled with the tool, are Google’s new custom car icons, which can be used to customize how you mark your parking spot. Previously, the icon was just a “P”.

Some of the options at launch include a colorful array of vehicles from a purple sedan to a red 4x4 truck. Google has had custom car icons in Maps since at least 2020, and earlier this year, eight new car shapes and colorways were added. That update also extended the feature to Android Auto and CarPlay.

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Google Maps is rolling out four new features that are meant to save time and find activities over the coming holiday season and more. They include Gemini integration, an EV charger locator, trending activities and helpful review tools for your favorite businesses.

Some of these features are rolling out now for Android and iOS devices globally, while others are specific to the United States or Android Auto only. Additionally, this is a gradual rollout, meaning that you might not have access immediately. Give it a day or two to see if these new features have become available and if not, you can always try updating the app. Here’s what each of those Google Maps features do and where they’ll be available.

Integrated Gemini

Using Gemini, Maps will help you research places like restaurants, hotels and concert venues but there will also be new “know before you go” tips. Gemini enables the navigation app to use reviews and other relevant information online to provide you with insights, like secret menu items, parking suggestions and more. Tapping the tips brings up even more information.

Gemini’s insider tips are rolling out now for Android and iOS but only in the U.S at the moment.

Updated Explorer tab

The Explorer tab in Maps has also been updated to “help you find your next move.” You can swipe up to see trending and popular activities along with restaurants and sights that are nearby.

It’s meant to give you quick last-minute inspiration for places to go while you’re out and about. The updated tab will also provide curated lists from sites like Lonely Planet, OpenTable, and Viator, alongside local influencer picks to help you discover new spots.

This feature is rolling out “this month” globally for Android and iOS devices.

EV charger update

Google Maps has had an EV charger locator tool since 2022 and last year, it got an upgrade to help electric vehicle drivers find out-of-the-way chargers. This new update goes even further though.

Now Maps will tell you how many chargers are “likely to be available upon your arrival” when you search “EV chargers” in Maps. Like the hidden chargers tool from last year, this new update utilizes AI to analyze historical and real-time charger availability to predict how many chargers will be free. Think of it like how Maps can tell you how busy a particular restaurant will be at any given time of day.

The EV charger predictor rolls out “next week” for Android Auto and cars with Google built-in. However, Google did not specify exactly when it will arrive. It appears this feature will also see a global rollout though.

Holiday reviews for local businesses

Google is finally adding some “holiday cheer” to reviews. You can be anonymous by choosing a profile picture and profile name with holiday-based titles like “Eager Elf” but if you use one of the nicknames, the review will still be tied to your Google account.

This seems ripe for Grinches, but Google claims that the company’s built-in AI-based protections will “monitor for suspicious and fake reviews.” According to the search giant, its system halts both fake reviews purchased by businesses and scam profiles based on “abuse patterns.”

This anonymous review system is rolling out globally for Android, iOS and desktop devices this month.

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Apple Maps and Google Maps have a lot in common, including AR modes to help users who want a more dynamic way of getting around than just staring at an arrow on a flat screen. But whose mode is better?

To test them out, I took a walk to a local Tube station and back, using Google Maps Live View on one leg of the journey, and Apple Maps Guide Me on the other. It wasn't exactly a difficult trip, but it showed me some key differences between these two apps — and allowed me to pick a favorite.

Read on for my impressions of Apple Maps Guide Me vs. Google Maps Live View.

Getting started

Opening up Live View or Guide Me is simple enough on both apps. There's a button both prior to commencing navigation and when you're in the regular en-route view that you can press to enter AR mode.

There is also a third method - simply lifting the phone to a vertical position. Apple tells you about this option, whereas Google does not. This may be a first-time user thing, as I have definitely used Live View before, and not Guide Me, but I appreciate the heads-up from Apple in this case.

Both apps will drop you back to the regular map view if you lower your phone to a horizontal position again. This seemed especially sensitive in Google Maps' case, giving you very little leeway if you need to drop your arm to get past a group of people, for example.

Apple Maps Guide Me vs Google Maps Live View: Directions

With the apps open, it's time to get moving. As the GIF above shows, any time you move past the virtual location of an arrow, Google Maps Live View will pop up another one. It means if you glance away for a moment, it won't take long to reorient yourself.

However, the rapid refreshing can lead to some weird effects. For instance, I ended up with an arrow at one point on my walk that seemed to direct me down a flight of stairs, simply because I'd faced that direction as the refresh order came in.

This would hopefully only cause momentary confusion, but anyone in a rush or under stress would not appreciate this kind of accidental misleading.

Apple Maps does not update its AR arrows anywhere near as frequently. Instead, it keeps you on track with pop-up prompts to point your phone back to the currently active arrow.

What's more confusing is the fact that Apple Maps places these arrows along roadways rather than the sidewalk. It means you're constantly having to look to the side if you want to double-check the name of the road or the direction you need to continue in.

Apple Maps Guide Me vs Google Maps Live View: Detail

I like how much more detail Apple Maps gives you when in Guide Me mode. In addition to the distance to the next change of direction, and the kind of turn you need to make, Apple Maps gives you more explicit written instructions, along with a rough diagram of how you'll move over or along the path or road. Apple Maps also displays the next direction in some instances to let you prepare as needed.

Meanwhile, Google Maps gives you distance, direction and a road name. That's it.

However, Apple's more static direction style can sometimes interfere with its otherwise generous amount of detail. The example above shows how approaching a direction ends up obscuring the start and end of the street name, which feels like sloppy design to me.

Apple Maps Guide Me vs Google Maps Live View: Safety

Both of these apps are smart enough to give you warnings about using their respective AR modes. Staring at your phone can lead to unfortunate accidents at the best of times, let alone when you're trying to navigate sidewalks full of people and roads full of vehicles.

Each time you come to a road crossing while navigating with Google Maps Live View, it pops up an overlay reminding you to check the road before you walk any further. This was sometimes a bit inaccurate, popping up well before an intersection or where there was no sign of one at all, but I'll forgive this in the name of being better safe than sorry.

Apple Maps Guide Me has a similar overlay about not checking directions while on the move. This only popped up three times during my walk, less than half of the number of interruptions that Google Maps made, and also without any clear trigger.

Apple Maps Guide Me vs Google Maps Live View: Destination marker

Google Maps produces this fun animated pin to show you've arrived. It felt just as excited as I was to have made my way to Edgware Road, a rather handsome 20th-century London Underground station.

Meanwhile, Apple Maps has a static red icon, one that's also a little low-res when you're close to the destination.

It's nowhere near as dynamic as the Google one, but given you're likely about to close the app to head into your destination anyway, maybe Apple's being smart by not putting in wasted effort.

Apple Maps Guide Me vs Google Maps Live View: Verdict

Perhaps it's due to my greater familiarity with Google Maps, but I do think that Live View is the better AR navigation mode, on balance. Still, I believe that Apple Maps Guide Me is a) pretty close in quality and b) has a few tricks that Google would be smart to implement.

Guide Me's more detailed written instructions and directional arrows give extra reassurance that you won't get lost, which I would certainly appreciate if I was walking around an area I was unfamiliar with. But Google's more rapid direction updates, with arrows that remain on the sidewalk rather than sit in the street, feel more useful to someone trying to get around than knowing the next instruction ahead of time. Plus its intersection warnings could be literal lifesavers for preoccupied walkers.

Apple isn't Google Maps' only rival. Waze is an ever-present threat for anyone trying to navigate in a car, and may even do the job better than Google. Plus there are several other Google Maps and Apple Maps alternatives should you find neither work for you. But when it comes to AR directions, Google Maps is the winner for me.

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Google recently released its November Pixel Drop update, which includes several new features for Pixel phones and some Android devices. One of the more interesting updates is so good that I might have to switch from an iPhone to a Pixel 10 just to use it.

The new Power-saving mode is meant to help save battery life by reducing the amount of visible features in the navigation map. This is partly done by making the app monochrome in a black-and-white scheme.

This new power-saving mode was discovered around Halloween in Google beta code, but it wasn't clear how close it was to launch. Now it has, but unfortunately the battery-saving feature is only available for Pixel 10 phones at the moment.

Based on the previously discovered code and what we've seen in the Pixel Drop, there doesn't seem to be an obvious technical reason Google can't make this power-saving mode available on older Pixels or other Android devices. It's possible Google is using the Pixel 10 series as a live test.

How Power Saving Mode works in Google Maps

Power saving mode reduces the amount of visible information in Google Maps. The most obvious alteration is the monochrome view.

In the updated view, you'll only see key information like the next turns and the path you need to follow. However, street names and icons are omitted. You will still have access to directions.

When using Maps, you can access power-saving mode by pressing the power button.

Earlier leaks suggested that the mode would only show users instructions based on cardinal directions like "head south" or "head north," which didn't seem terribly useful if you don't know the area. However, based on images provided by Google, it does look like even in power-saving mode Google Maps will display the next direction and the street you need to turn on next.

Questions remain

As I mentioned earlier, at time of publication the power-saving mode in Google Maps is only available on the Google Pixel 10. It's one of the few features from the November Pixel Drop that is only available on the newest Google phone, and it's not clear when or if the feature will come to other devices.

Additionally, it’s not clear from Google’s press release if the feature will support voice navigation or public transit directions. It's also not known if you can customize the monochrome color palette, or if you're limited to black and white.

Tom’s Guide has reached out to Google for clarification and we'll update this story with any meaningful new information!

Maybe its time to try a Pixel phone

With power-saving mode limited to only Pixel 10 phones including the Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it may be time to try out a Google-made phone. Here's where you can pick up one today.

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If there’s one app I use daily that’s proven to be invaluable, it has to be Google Maps. I’ve already explained how I prefer it when I drove over 1,000 miles to put Google Maps vs Apple Maps to the test, along with my favorite 5 features that make my commute easier.

Just recently, however, I discovered a feature I haven’t come across before by accident. It’s Google Maps Immersive View, which makes my route planning in the city better. After trying it out for a week, it’s the first thing I load up in Google Maps whenever I’m going to a new destination in and around New York City.

There are still other features I think that have more value, but Google Maps Immersive View makes me excited for the future of smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Ban Display and Rokid Glasses. Here’s why Immersive View is one of my favorite Google Maps features.

It combines Street and Live view

I accidentally discovered Immersive View when I punched in the address of a venue I was attending later on in the day, and noticed a peculiar preview button in the app I haven’t seen before. When I tapped on it, the view went from the default 2D map to a 3D overview of the city and eventually to the street view of my destination.

Immersive View basically combines Street and Live view together, with an animation of the route complete with details like landmarks I should look out for. The best description I have of Immersive View is like putting on a VR headset and seeing the actual route happening in real time.

When you look up an address and view it in Street View, you can only move around by tapping the corresponding arrows. It’s not as intuitive to use as Immersive View. Live View is like an augmented reality view that overlaps directional arrows over my camera’s view — so Immersive View simply combines them into one.

Aerial mode gives me that bird’s eye view

The effectiveness of Immersive View is partly also due to the aerial mode I can activate, which is indicated by the icon of a superhero figure on the right side of the app. This gives me an animated aerial view of the directions, showing me New York City and some of its notable landmarks.

Since I end up needing to catch the subway down by 33rd street each day, I like how aerial mode accurately pinpoints the subway’s entrance in the app. I tried this out on one event I needed to attend in the evening, which considering I’ve never visited the area before, I think it’s incredibly helpful to know exactly what the location looks like before actually getting there.

Google adds to the impressiveness of the view by adding small details in aerial view, like 3D models of cars going down the street and even birds in the sky.

Great at exploring new locations, but there’s a catch

I’m surprised by how this view has helped me get to new places around the city and I can certainly see the benefit of it when I’m vacationing elsewhere. That’s because of how it teleports me to the location without actually being there. Like I said earlier, Immersive View feels like I’m in a virtual world where I can see everything around me in real time.

While it’s become something I’ve leaned on using for the past couple of weeks, I thought I could try it out on the weekend heading to a new place by the beaches down by where I lived. I was shocked to find out it didn’t work. That’s because Google Maps Immersive View is supported in select major cities. They include Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paris, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Tokyo, and Venice.

But despite the limited support, Google also offers Immersive View with Android XR. Meaning, you can get an even more immersive experience using headsets like the Samsung Galaxy XR.

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