Google Maps Can Now Help You Find Last-Minute Holiday Gifts

Google Maps has been given a fairly substantial update in time for the holidays, with the introduction of an in-app product search function to help users find specific items at nearby stores. The new feature allows shoppers to search for electronics, home goods, grocery items, and last-minute gifts directly within the Maps interface.

google maps product search
The update also brings navigation enhancements, with Google Maps now displaying real-time weather disruptions such as unplowed roads, flooded areas, and zones with low visibility. Public transit users can now also access crowdsourced delay reports and improved station information, including detailed subway entrance locations and alternative route suggestions.

Elsewhere, for electric vehicle owners, Maps has gained a synced route planning feature with charging stops, allowing users to send their planned routes directly to vehicles with built-in Google Maps. Meanwhile, a new trailer-friendly routing feature, currently available for select 2024 Chevrolet and GMC models, helps drivers avoid low bridges and tunnels by considering vehicle dimensions.

In an effort to reduce holiday stress, Maps has also enhanced its Popular Times feature with detailed traffic predictions and store crowd information. Google recommends avoiding peak travel times, particularly between 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. in the days leading up to Christmas.

Google Maps trends popular times
The features are rolling out globally, although some functions like trailer-friendly routing are currently limited to specific vehicle models, with broader availability planned for the future.

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Top Rated Comments

Plutonius Avatar
23 weeks ago
I always wanted to know the Amazon warehouse locations :).
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gridlocked Avatar
23 weeks ago

Who needs Maps, when Google is listening to your conversations anyway, and will suggest items to purchase through ads whenever you open your web browser. Thank goodness for Ghostery!
I was using Google voice a few months ago to text a friend, suddenly Google said my last text was against their terms etc and cut off the conversation. I have always hated the spying but that was the last straw as I didn't write anything of consequence. They know when my bills are due and how much they are for even those they come encrypted .

This drove me back to Apple and no Google shall touch my iphones or in the works MacMini.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morod Avatar
23 weeks ago
Oh sure. I'm gonna use google maps to find me gifts when google maps gets so many people lost with driving directions. Sorry, I'll find my own gifts, thank you.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
23 weeks ago
What's this talk of "last-minute"? It's mid-November…
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Expos of 1969 Avatar
23 weeks ago
Looking at the headline and then the article.....

Have I somehow been transported to 9to5Google?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
burgman Avatar
23 weeks ago

I was using Google voice a few months ago to text a friend, suddenly Google said my last text was against their terms etc and cut off the conversation. I have always hated the spying but that was the last straw as I didn't write anything of consequence. They know when my bills are due and how much they are for even those they come encrypted .

This drove me back to Apple and no Google shall touch my iphones or in the works MacMini.
I would have to see proof of this, that would be covered in forums or tech news if true. Unless you're a very naughty boy.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)