Google Brings Assistant to Google Maps

Google is bringing the Google Assistant to Google Maps on Android and iPhone. At CES 2019 today, the company announced that it is rolling out a new update to Google Maps for Android and iOS that introduces Assistant integration. The feature was originally supposed to ship in Summer 2018.

Google Assistant on Maps will allow users to do things like search for places when they en route, add a stop to their route, reply to text messages, play music, share their ETA with family and friends, etc. all with their voice. On Android, the Assistant lets you send messages via messaging services with SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages and more.

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The integration is a massive step forward for Google Assistant, especially on the iPhone. For those on Android, the Assistant integration will be a nice addition to Maps when they are driving. But bringing Assistant to Maps means Google will be able to get all the Google Maps users on the iPhone to use Google Assistant. The company already offers a standalone Google Assistant app on the iPhone, but not a lot of iPhone users use it or are actually aware of it — so by bringing Assistant to Maps, Google will now be able to access these easier much more easily.

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Conversation 4 comments

  • Daniel Blois

    08 January, 2019 - 3:20 pm

    <p>Hi Mehedi, do you know if this adds anything to Google Maps when used in Android Auto?</p>

  • IanYates82

    Premium Member
    08 January, 2019 - 11:24 pm

    <p>How's this all that different from Android Auto which has the maps &amp; assistant readily available? (I appreciate it's a huge deal for iOS)</p><p>In my regular car, that doesn't have Android Auto, I just mount the phone on the dashboard and still run Android Auto on the phone's screen. Not quite as big or elegant as having the car's support but it functions the same (Bluetooth for audio)</p><p><br></p><p>I wish they'd allow starting a Skype call with assistant – it knows what Skype is but specifically says it can't do it :(</p>

  • supermarkert

    09 January, 2019 - 8:05 am

    <p><em>"</em><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">On Android, the Assistant lets you send messages via messaging services with SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages and more."</em></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So…. still no Google Voice, eh?</span></p>

  • EKUdacci

    09 January, 2019 - 11:15 am

    <p>Im really hoping this also integrates with the home app. So in theory, if I'm at the grocery, and as soon as I pull into my driveway that it unlocks my door so I can carry my groceries in without having to fiddle with my keys. OR if I enter that I am going home, that it can automatically adjust my thermostat 30 mins prior to my arrival. I can see lots of cool things that could happen with this.</p>

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