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Google has started expanding its AI feature, Ask Maps, to more than 160 countries and territories, including Malaysia
Powered by the Gemini AI model, this release is the largest change to Google Maps in over 10 years. The update lets users search for places using natural-language questions rather than short keywords.
Instead of reading long review lists, users can ask detailed questions. For instance, travellers can ask for a quiet café or a scenic motorcycle route.
The tool blends Gemini AI with real-time map data to deliver tailored answers. It also remembers past chats to make future searches easier.
Ask Maps also brings improved live tracking
A new transit board updates automatically inside the app. It displays train and bus times alongside live delay alerts. Drivers can check for road accidents, construction work, or crowd levels at popular spots before leaving home.
Google is also adding "agentic" tools that complete multi-step tasks. Users can ask the app to order takeaway food on their driving route. The AI finds open restaurants, checks dietary needs, and adds items to a shopping cart using partners like Uber Eats, Square, and Toast.
Ask Maps can also compare hotel prices, check room availability, and show local event tickets.
Community edits are also becoming easier for the app's 500 million contributors
Users can suggest edits via simple chat messages or by uploading photos of storefront signs. The app reads new opening hours directly from photos before asking for confirmation.
While conversational search and live transit tools are arriving in Malaysia, commerce features, such as food ordering and hotel booking, are launching first in the US.
Google plans to bring these shopping tools to more countries over time. The expansion follows recent AI launches in Malaysia, including the rollout of Gemini Spark across local digital services.
