On Thursday, Google unveiled a series of new features aimed at enhancing user experiences across its platforms. These updates, which include advancements powered by artificial intelligence (AI) alongside standard updates and language expansions, are designed to assist users in more effectively planning their vacations and trips. Key enhancements focus on trip planning within AI Overviews available in Search, Maps, and Lens, offering insights into smaller cities, regions, and countries.
Google Introduces New Features
In a blog post, the company elaborated on these new offerings coinciding with the arrival of summer vacation for many schools and colleges. The latest features encompass both AI-driven tools and traditional functionality enhancements meant to streamline the trip planning process.
The AI Overviews in Google Search will now generate itinerary suggestions for various regions and countries. For example, a user searching for “create an itinerary for Costa Rica with a focus on nature” will be met with a collection of photos and reviews contributed by other travelers. Additionally, an expandable map will help users navigate their chosen destinations. Users can export collected recommendations via Docs or Gmail, and there is an option to save a personalized list directly within Maps.
This functionality is currently accessible in English within the United States on both mobile and desktop devices, and there is no registration required, as it is not classified as an experimental feature.
Google Maps is also set to receive enhancements that allow users to search for locations based on screenshots stored on their devices. Recognizing that users often take numerous screenshots while exploring potential travel spots, Google will enable quick integration of these images into Maps. The AI tool, Gemini, will identify locations referenced in the screenshots and display them on the map. Users can then plan routes or discover nearby attractions. This feature will initially launch for iOS users in the US, with Android support expected soon.
Additionally, users will now have the ability to monitor fluctuations in hotel prices during their selected travel dates and locations. Activating this feature is straightforward—simply tap the price-tracking switch found beneath the search filters. Users will receive email notifications if significant price drops occur for any hotels they are tracking. This feature is being rolled out globally across both mobile and desktop platforms.
Moreover, Google is now offering Gems, customizable mini chatbots powered by the Gemini platform, to all users at no cost. This means that those using the free version of Gemini can create their own tailored chatbots. For instance, users can develop a personalized trip planner chatbot that generates itineraries based on brief text inputs. Access to Gems can be found through the “Gems manager” option on desktop, although this feature is absent in the mobile version of Gemini.
Lastly, the AI Overviews functionality within Google Lens and Circle to Search is expanding to support additional languages. Previously limited to English, the feature will soon include Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish in regions where the AI capability is available.
