Google is equipping its mobile Gemini app with a new map tool for location-based AI queries. The feature is available immediately on Android and iOS and targets users looking to query local recommendations or details about specific surroundings directly via a prompt.
Embed Map Sections Directly into Prompts
The new tool is located at the far end of the mobile toolbar—alongside existing options such as Camera, Photos, Avatar, Files, Google Drive, and the personal note-taking system Notebooks. According to reports, a web version of the map tool does not yet exist.
When launching the tool, the app loads a live map of the current location featuring a circular focus area. Users can adjust the search radius by zooming or manually select an entirely different map section. Tapping the “Explore this area” button inserts the selected area directly into the input field as a “Map Area” element. To craft responses, Gemini combines Google Maps geospatial data with general web information to deliver recommendations for venues, meeting spots, or activities within the chosen radius.
Major Overhaul Planned for Gems and Commands
Alongside the map feature, Google is preparing technical tweaks to the user interface. In beta version 17.63 of the Google app, the existing slash command (/) is being replaced by the at symbol (@) to invoke extensions and integrations. This change is not yet rolled out across the board.
Behind this tweak lies a comprehensive system overhaul: the custom assistants previously known as “Gems” are set to be rebranded as “Skills,” while “Connected Apps” will be renamed “Connectors.” Reports vary regarding the timeline. Besides October 13, 2026, cited as a target date, transitional timelines for an automatic migration are circulating: personal Google accounts are reportedly slated for November 2026, enterprise Workspace accounts for March 2027, and educational institutions for June 2027.
The transition also brings certain limitations. Dedicated Labs Gems and Project Opal are being phased out. The forthcoming Skills will initially lack support for features like Canvas and Deep Research, cannot access GitHub files, and will be capped at a maximum of 100 concurrently active Skills.
What Users Should Keep in Mind
Users who want to test the map tool will need the latest version of the Gemini app on an Android or iOS smartphone. Access via a standalone web interface is not supported. Those who still rely on legacy Gems or Labs workflows for specific processes should prepare for the migration early, as experimental variants will no longer be available interactively in the future.
Sources: Borncity.com
