Overview
- A new Gemini-powered “know before you go” section is live in the U.S. on Android and iOS, surfacing booking, parking and menu insights from reviews and the web.
- An updated Explore tab starts a global rollout this month on Android and iOS, featuring trending nearby spots and curated lists from sources like Lonely Planet, OpenTable and Viator alongside local influencers.
- EV charger availability predictions launch next week for Android Auto and cars with Google built in, estimating free ports on arrival across hundreds of thousands of stations worldwide.
- Google now lets reviewers use a nickname and alternate profile picture, with reviews still linked to a Google Account and AI systems monitoring for suspicious or fake activity; the change is rolling out globally this month.
- The additions continue Google’s broader integration of Gemini into Maps, and multiple tech outlets corroborate the features and phased, Android-first timing, with non-Android support for charger predictions not yet specified.