Google on Tuesday announced at CES 2019 that it has begun rolling out its voice-activated “Assistant” feature to Google Maps on iOS and Android.
Users will be able to do the following by using Assistant in the Maps app:
- Share your ETA with friends and family
- Reply to text messages
- Play music and podcasts
- Search for places along your route
- Add a new stop and auto-punctuate your message
Starting to roll out today, the Assistant can help you navigate in Google Maps for Android and iOS. With just your voice, you’ll be able to share your ETA with friends and family, reply to text messages, play music and podcasts, search for places along your route, add a new stop and auto-punctuate your message.
On Android, the Assistant works with messaging services from the following providers: SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger, Hangouts, Viber, Telegram, Android Messages and more. And when you’re driving, the Assistant automatically calculates your ETA from Google Maps if you want to send your arrival time to friends. Just say “Hey Google, take me home,” to open Google Maps and get help from your Assistant on your journey.
Google will be releasing the Google Assistant in the maps app on a staggered basis, so if you don’t yet have it in your installation of Maps on your iOS device, be patient, and check back later.
Google Maps is a free app, and is available for iOS devices in the App Store. [GET IT HERE]
