Google is now pushing an update to Google Maps that introduces its Google Assistant-powered recommendations.
The updated version of Maps, announced last month, is more accurate and helpful. A new tab called For You provides information about local neighborhoods. It offers suggestions for activities, tools for finding restaurants, and other recommendations through a new feature called Your Match.
A third tool helps people plan group outings. A long press on place cards saves them to a shareable message thread where people can view places and vote on where to go. The new Maps has a new focus on small businesses and helps people keep tabs on what their local stores are doing, what their hours are, and when sales are available.
Maps adds a computer vision (visual positioning system, or VPS) feature that uses the camera to help pinpoint location on a map with proper orientation based on the photo. Last, Maps taps into the power of Google Lens to provide information cards based what the camera sees.
The new Google Maps is reaching Android devices now.
