Google Maps already looks like it won Google IO 2022 with new features

A screengrab from Google IO 2022
(Image credit: Future)

At Google I/O 2022, CEO Sundar Pichai dedicated the start of the keynote to Google Maps, with Immersive View, eco-routes, and more.

While no Android 13 news or the latest Chrome OS features were announced as yet, Pichai made sure to put Google Maps in the spotlight first, helping you further in getting from one destination to another.

These features look to be coming to both Android and iOS later this year.

Upcoming features

There looks to be a focus on both refining the user interface for Google Maps and simultaneously making it easier to view how you can get from point A to point B.

Eco-friendly routes are Google's focus in making sure that users can help offset climate change, a big and important topic in today's world, which is going to be available outside the United States later in 2022.

There's also an Immersive view mode coming, which allows you to look inside restaurants using neural rendering to let you fly around like Superman, or a drone.

Another big improvement is indoor images when you visit a coffee house or a restaurant, with a bigger focus on better quality when you want to browse around a building.

As we're only on day 1 for Google IO, we may see more features appearing for Google Maps, where we'll update this developing story.

TOPICS
Daryl Baxter
Software & Downloads Writer

Daryl had been freelancing for 3 years before joining TechRadar, now reporting on everything software-related. In his spare time, he's written a book, 'The Making of Tomb Raider'. His second book, '50 Years of Boss Fights', came out in 2024, with a third book coming in 2026. He also has a newsletter called 'Springboard'. He's usually found playing games old and new on his Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and MacBook Pro. If you have a story about an updated app, one that's about to launch, or just anything Software-related, drop him a line.

Read more
The Oppo Find N5 open to Google Maps
Android 16 brings a much-needed upgrade to Google Maps that iOS users already have
Google Maps
Google's 2024 Timeline update is like Spotify Wrapped for your travels
A person using Google Maps on their phone
Google Maps could soon get its most useful Gemini AI upgrade so far to speed up your searches
Google app on phone
Google in 2024: the hits, the misses, plus what to expect in 2025
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
The Samsung Galaxy S25's best software feature just got Google Maps support
Three iPhones on a green and blue background showing trails on Apple Maps
Apple Maps edges closer to Google Maps on the web with its take on Street View
Latest in Websites & Apps
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #1149)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, March 18 (game #380)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
Latest in News
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics