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Google Maps' new AR signs will help you find your hotel

July 17, 2025

Google Mapsis about to make it much easier to navigate around an unfamiliar city now that travel is slowly resuming. The companyrevealedmultiple Google Maps updates at itsI/O conferencethat will help you find what you’re looking for, particularly if you want to use Live View.

Live View in Maps now includes a host of augmented reality signs that identify key landmarks. You’ll know where your hotel or a famous landmark is, for instance. Virtual street labels help you find your way around tricky intersections. And if you’re looking for a place to eat or shop, you can access Live View directly from the map and see details about nearby places, including busyness and reviews.

Google IO 2021 Maps AR signs

See also:The best GPS and navigation apps for Android

Other Maps updates should be handy even if you don’t care for Live View. Maps now indicates how busy areas are at a glance, and will highlight the most relevant locations on the map based on the time of day and whether or not you’re traveling — you may see breakfast spots in the morning, or tourist locations if you’re away from your hometown.

Driving directions, meanwhile, will use AI and navigation info to help you avoid “hard-braking moments” like gridlock that could lead to a crash. The technology will automatically suggest these safer routes if the arrival time isn’t likely to significantly change.

Google will roll out the updates to Live View and other Maps features to both Android and iOS users in the “coming months.” You should also see enhanced street maps reach 50 new cities (including Berlin, Seattle, and Singapore) by the end of 2021.

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