How Is Google Making Driving Simpler With Gemini?

Google has announced a major update for its Maps app, introducing Gemini technology to help users navigate more naturally. Amanda Leicht Moore, Google Maps’ Director of Product, said the update allows drivers to talk to Maps as though they were chatting with a helpful friend in the passenger seat.

The new feature brings a hands-free, conversational driving experience. It lets users do things like find places along their route or check for EV chargers and sharing ETAs with friends using only voice commands. Drivers can ask your usual everyday questions such as “Is there a vegan-friendly restaurant nearby?” and then follow up with “What’s parking like there?” or “Can you add soccer practice to my calendar tomorrow?” Gemini connects to a user’s calendar in order to be able to manage daily tasks while on the road.

The system also allows drivers to report traffic incidents using voice prompts. Phrases like “I see an accident” or “Looks like there’s flooding ahead” can alert other users in real time. Gemini will start rolling out for Android and iOS users over the next few weeks, with Android Auto to follow soon after.

What Does Landmark-Based Navigation Change?

Google Maps will now guide drivers using real world landmarks, instead of just your usual street names or distance estimates. Instead of saying “turn right in 500 feet,” Maps will say “turn right after the Thai Siam Restaurant” and show the building on the screen. This is so that directions are a lot easier to read and this aims to reduce confusion for drivers who are unfamiliar with specific areas.

Google says the feature uses information from 250 million mapped locations, cross-referenced with Street View images. This makes sure the landmarks shown are accurate and visible from the road. The new landmark-based navigation is rolling out on Android and iOS devices in the United States first.

The company believes this will make driving less stressful, particularly in busy cities or for visitors exploring new places. For many drivers, hearing a recognisable landmark is easier to follow than calculating distances in feet or metres.

Can Maps Help Drivers Avoid Traffic Before It Happens?

Another upgrade is proactive traffic alerts. Google Maps can now send notifications about road closures, jams, or disruptions even when navigation is not active. This feature aims to save time for commuters who might otherwise get stuck in sudden standstills.

These updates, now rolling out in the US on Android devices, work in real time. Drivers receive alerts over whatever app they are using, such as a music player, without having to open Maps. This makes it that the warnings do not interrupt driving or cause distractions.

For people who spend long hours driving, this feature could become a practical tool to manage daily travel and avoid congestion before reaching problem areas.

What Is Google Doing About Fake Reviews And Scams?

Alongside these updates, Google announced a new form to help businesses report extortion attempts involving fake reviews. Laurie Richardson, Google’s vice president of Trust and Safety, said this tool targets scams where fraudsters post false one-star reviews and then demand payment to remove them.

The scheme often begins with a flood of fake negative comments, followed by threats sent to business owners through messaging apps. Scammers promise to stop the attacks in exchange for money. Google’s new reporting system aims to make it easier for businesses to flag such activity and have it investigated.

Google also reminded users to be cautious of common online scams, such as fake job listings, imitation AI products, malicious VPNs, and fraud recovery schemes. The company encouraged users to download apps only from trusted sources and avoid sharing personal details through unfamiliar channels.

This announcement comes amid a Reuters report that said Meta could be earning up to $16 billion yearly from fraudulent ads. According to Reuters, those scams make up 10.1% of Meta’s total ad revenue, with some advertisers able to collect hundreds of strikes before being banned. Meta responded that the estimate was overstated but confirmed it had removed over 134 million scam ads in 2025.

Between Gemini’s upgrades and new safety tools, Google is trying to make both navigation and online interaction more reliable and less frustrating for users and businesses alike.