Google Maps adds agentic food ordering, real-time transit, and Gmail-aware suggestions to Ask Maps
Google Maps is rolling out a major set of upgrades to its Ask Maps conversational feature, adding agentic food ordering, live transit delay tracking, Gmail-aware personalization, and conversational map contributions. The changes are landing in the United States now and are already available in more than 150 countries and territories in English, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico.
Food ordering, hotel and event discovery, and conversational contributions are currently U.S.-only, with additional countries planned. The live transit widget, personalized responses, and conversation history are rolling out everywhere Ask Maps is already available.
What is new in Ask Maps?
Ask Maps now combines Gemini model capabilities with map data to handle multi-step tasks. Users can order takeout, find hotels that match specific preferences, discover local events, and ask follow-up questions that draw on past conversations.
How does food ordering work in Ask Maps?
Ask Maps can place a food order through a single conversational request. A user could ask Maps to "order spicy pad kee mao with seafood for me to pick up on my way home," and the feature will locate open restaurants along the planned route that serve the requested dish. It can also weigh saved places and dietary preferences when making suggestions. Once a restaurant is selected, Ask Maps adds the matching item directly to the cart for review and checkout.
Food ordering is launching with Square and Toast as initial partners, with Uber Eats integration planned. Google is also co-developing the Universal Commerce Protocol for Food with industry partners to expand these capabilities.
Can Ask Maps find hotels and events?
Yes. Ask Maps can compare real-time prices and availability for hotels and surface nearby events ranging from concerts to comedy shows, complete with ticket links. A sample query given by Google was: "For next week’s conference in downtown Miami, find me a decently priced, top-rated hotel with an artsy vibe, within walking distance from a gym and restaurants."
How does Personal Intelligence connect to Gmail?
Personal Intelligence is an opt-in feature that lets Ask Maps read Gmail, with Calendar support planned, to factor in upcoming flights, reservations, and other plans. An example query: "Give me ideas on how to spend a few hours near the hotel before my flight tomorrow." Ask Maps then recommends nearby activities based on the hotel reservation in Gmail and adds guidance on when to leave for the airport.
Connecting to Gmail is off by default. Users choose whether to enable it, and Google states the feature was built with privacy in mind.
Can Ask Maps remember past conversations?
If history settings are on, Ask Maps retains past conversations so users can resume them. A user could ask, "Remind me, what activities did you suggest for my trip to Seattle?" and Maps will pull up earlier suggestions without starting over.
What does the new transit widget show?
The transit widget sits inside Ask Maps and displays live delay information for buses, trains, subways, and ferries. A sample query: "Is there a ferry to get to Taronga Zoo with views of the Opera House?" The widget then renders a virtual departure board with all options, and wait times adjust minute by minute if a service is running late.
How can users contribute updates to Maps?
Users can now suggest edits conversationally through Ask Maps or the Contribute tab. A photo of a storefront sign can be uploaded, and Maps will read the new hours from the image and ask the user to confirm before submitting. Users can also share insider tips, such as telling Maps "more parking is available behind the building," and the note will surface to other community members. Built-in protection systems still review suggested edits for accuracy and policy compliance before publishing.
Where is each feature available?
- Live transit widget, personalized responses, and conversation history: rolling out everywhere Ask Maps is already available.
- Food ordering, hotel and event discovery, and conversational contributions: rolling out in the U.S. now, with more countries to follow.
- Ask Maps overall: already live in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico, plus more than 150 countries and territories in English.
FAQ
What can Ask Maps do now that it could not do before?
Ask Maps can order food from partnered restaurants, compare real-time hotel prices and availability, surface local events with ticket links, track live transit delays for buses, trains, subways, and ferries, and pull context from Gmail to personalize suggestions.
Do I have to connect my Gmail to use Ask Maps?
No. Gmail integration through Personal Intelligence is off by default. You choose whether to enable it, and Google states the feature was built with privacy in mind.
Which food delivery partners does Ask Maps support at launch?
Food ordering launches with Square and Toast, with Uber Eats support planned. Google is also co-developing the Universal Commerce Protocol for Food with partners to expand ordering options over time.
This article summarizes reporting from blog.google.