Google Maps gets chatty with Gemini-powered Ask Maps in Singapore

Google is rolling out Ask Maps in Singapore, bringing its Gemini AI capabilities into Google Maps as the tech giant looks to turn the navigation platform into a more conversational tool for travel, lifestyle discovery and everyday planning.

Described by Google as Maps' biggest transformation in more than a decade, Ask Maps brings together Search, Maps and Gemini, allowing users to ask natural-language questions about where to go, how to get there and what to do nearby.

The feature is now available to users in Singapore and taps into real-time information to help consumers make decisions on the go. This includes a live transit board that automatically updates and flags delays, alongside information about road disruptions for drivers and live crowd status at restaurants and attractions.

Don't miss: Google deepens AI shopping push with virtual try-on

For example, users can ask Maps what time they should leave for an appointment and how they should get there, with the platform presenting different transport options based on current conditions.

Ask Maps is also expanding Google's role in local discovery. Users can search conversationally for nearby activities, restaurants and attractions based on specific needs, such as halal eateries that remain open past 10pm or places to catch the sunset. 

The platform can also surface events such as comedy shows alongside ticket links, while recommendations can be personalised according to users' prompts and previous reviews.

Travel planning is another focus of the update, with Ask Maps displaying real-time hotel prices and availability and helping users build itineraries around specific preferences and time constraints.

For instance, a traveller can ask Maps to create a two-hour route covering cultural sites around a particular hotel, with the platform generating a suggested journey based on the request.

The feature also remembers previous conversations, allowing users to return to an earlier search or travel-planning session without starting from scratch. This means consumers can revisit recommendations and continue refining plans across multiple interactions.

The Singapore launch follows Google's rollout of Ask Maps in Malaysia earlier this month, part of a wider expansion of the Gemini-powered experience to more than 160 new countries and territories.

In Malaysia, the rollout similarly introduced more conversational ways of searching for places and routes, combining Gemini with Google's mapping data to surface personalised recommendations and real-time information. Users can ask more nuanced questions beyond searching for a specific location, such as finding a quiet restaurant for conversations, planning a scenic motorcycle route or discovering places based on their preferences.

Related articles: 
Gen Z leads Google Search, and they’re changing how it works 
Google ramps up YouTube shopping with new commerce tools   
Google doubles down on Singapore with sweeping AI expansion and national push