Google Maps gets its biggest navigation redesign in a decade, plus more AI

A big navigation update

Google is also promising a “complete transformation” of the navigation experience in Maps, with the biggest update in more than a decade. It’s called Immersive Navigation, and it will begin its rollout today.

Immersive Navigation has a new 3D view that Google says will more accurately reflect what you’ll see in real life. There’s a Gemini tie-in here because Google can’t develop anything new that doesn’t at least touch on AI anymore. You’ll see accurate overpasses, crosswalks, landmarks, and signage in the new navigation experience, which is all courtesy of Gemini models that glean data from Street View and aerial photography. Google says this is just how it’s building 3D maps now; Gemini isn’t making live changes to your navigation experience.

Google also aims to solve some of the biggest usability…