I tried talking to Google Maps with Gemini, and it actually understood what I wanted

Google has officially debuted Gemini 3, marking a major upgrade for its AI models and the platforms that use them. New reasoning modes, fresh app features, and an overhaul of the Google ecosystem that could change how people engage with Google products in day-to-day life.

Google Maps has always been good at getting me from point A to point B without drama, but with the latest update integrating Google's Gemini AI, navigation is much more conversational and flexible. The update adds context-aware discovery and real-time suggestions that respond to what you are doing instead of just where you are going. The AI's reasoning draws on real‑world location data, using information from business listings, reviews, images, and traffic conditions to answer questions

After some tests, on foot and behind the wheel, I can see why Google is so keen to show off how Gemini fits ...