During the I/O Connect event held in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Google unveiled a range of sophisticated AI and geospatial tools designed for developers in India. The tech giant announced the introduction of its Gemini 2.5 Flash processing, which will now be available through data centres located in the country. Additionally, Google is enhancing the integration of Google Maps with its Vertex AI platform and launching AI-driven summaries within the Places API specifically for Indian developers. The company also introduced localized pricing for its Maps Places UI Kit to make it more accessible.
Gemini 2.5 Flash Now Available for On-Shore Processing in India
At the event, Google highlighted the deployment of Gemini 2.5 Flash processing within India. This generative AI model will utilize Single Zone Provisioned Throughput from Google Cloud regions in India, aiming to serve various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and public services, with tailored solutions.
In its latest initiative, Google is enhancing the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) integrated with Google Maps through Vertex AI. This improvement will empower developers in logistics, travel, and location-based services by providing access to more precise and relevant data about more than 250 million global locations.
Furthermore, Google has rolled out AI-powered summaries in the Places API for Indian developers. This feature will enable them to incorporate brief, Gemini-generated descriptions of real-world locations into their applications, aimed at helping users save time and better meet local demands.
To facilitate developer engagement, the company has introduced the Google Maps Places UI Kit with pricing tailored to the Indian market. This move is intended to reduce costs and support a wider range of developers in creating innovative, location-driven features using Google Maps Places.
Lastly, Google’s advanced AI Weather Forecasting models will now support the newly launched Google Maps Weather API in India. This feature is set to aid developers in delivering precise and hyperlocal weather updates, which could be instrumental for those working in logistics, e-commerce, and mobility services.
