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My Dog and I Put Gemini's New Navigation Features to the Test

For people who commute by bike or rely on walking directions while traveling, being able to ask quick questions without breaking stride could be a real level-up.

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Headshot of Macy Meyer
Macy Meyer Writer II
Macy is a writer on the AI Team. She covers how AI is changing daily life and how to make the most of it. This includes writing about consumer AI products and their real-world impact, from breakthrough tools reshaping daily life to the intimate ways people interact with AI technology day-to-day. Macy is a North Carolina native who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in English and a second BA in Journalism. You can reach her at mmeyer@cnet.com.
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Macy Meyer
3 min read
Woman typing text message during bicycle ride

While exploring a new place, you can ask questions like, "What neighborhood am I in?" or, "What are the top-rated restaurants nearby?" 

 Igor Stevanovic/Getty Images

If you're constantly on the move -- like navigating an unfamiliar city while traveling or, if you're like me, squeezing in a few dog walks between meetings every work day -- Google just made Maps more useful and hands-off. Gemini in navigation, previously limited to driving, is now available for walking and cycling.

Google describes Gemini in navigation as "like talking to a friend in the passenger seat," and that idea translates surprisingly well when you're on foot or on a bike, too. Instead of tapping at your phone, you can now ask conversational questions out loud while navigating and get real-time, context-aware answers based on Google Maps' data.

Read more: I Tried Google Maps' New Gemini Feature, and It Was a Surprisingly Helpful AI Assistant

Cyclists get hands-free assistance designed to keep them focused and safe on the road. While navigating, you can ask practical questions, such as, "What's my ETA?" or, "When's my next meeting?" without taking your hands off the handlebars. If you're running late, Gemini can help with quick tasks like sending a message. For instance, just say, "Text Sarah I'm 10 minutes behind," and it'll take care of the rest.

For walkers, meanwhile, Gemini effectively doubles as a personal tour guide. While exploring a new city, you can ask questions like, "What neighborhood am I in?" or, "What are the top-rated restaurants nearby?" Gemini will surface recommendations along your current route, pulling from Maps' up-to-date local information.

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I tried this feature out for myself on my regular afternoon walk with my dog, Holden (whom I shamelessly try to write about whenever feasible). He's very calm and low-energy -- the benefit of adopting an older dog -- and has always been great on the leash. So great, in fact, that I was pondering if he really even needs to be leashed at all. This dog is like Velcro. He's not going anywhere. 

I went about half a mile away from my home before pulling up Google Maps. I entered my home address just to have the navigation feature running, and asked, "Is it illegal to walk a dog without a leash in Florida?" Gemini gave me a thorough answer about how the state of Florida doesn't have a statewide leash law, but instead leaves leash regulations to individual counties and municipalities to decide. I then asked, "Is it illegal to walk an off-leash dog in St. Petersburg?" 

Turns out, it is indeed illegal -- so that idea was quickly dashed -- but Gemini did give me some solid recommendations for off-leash dog parks and beaches in my city. Fort De Soto Park dog beach it is. 

While not groundbreaking, the hands-free and conversational aspects were surprisingly useful, especially since I always have one hand occupied with a Labrador. I also appreciated how the answers were thorough enough to fully satisfy my question while succinct enough not to lose my interest. I can genuinely see how this tool could come in handy in a slew of different use cases, from checking the menu of a nearby restaurant to asking for the best coffee shops while exploring Amsterdam -- as long as you don't mind looking a little goofy talking to your phone aloud. 

Gemini in navigation for walking and cycling is live worldwide on iOS, wherever Gemini is available.