Google Maps just got a bunch of new voice commands

Google believes that our future relationship with technology will be intrinsically conversational. That’s why they’ve put so much heft behind projects like Google Home, their recent Google Assistant, and machine learning focused on language. Now Google Maps is getting an upgrade with this perspective in mind.

The goal is to make hands-free interaction with your smartphone safer and easier while you’re on the road. Although Google wants future roads filled with autonomous vehicles, they also want to make sure as many people as possible stay alive to witness that achievement.

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All of these new commands can be accessed by simply saying “OK Google” while in navigation or driving mode. You’ll be able to do things like ask Google Maps to find nearby gas stations or restaurants.

To set this feature up, simple install the latest version of Google Maps, access the overflow menu, select Settings, and enable “OK Google” detection with the toggle “While driving.” Once this is enabled, you can do everything from playing jazz music to texting your mother, all without touching your device.

Google has provided a cheat sheet detailing all of the new Google Maps voice commands. They are as follows:

Directions and travel

• “Mute.” or “Mute voice guidance.”
• “Unmute.” or “Unmute voice guidance.”
• “Show traffic.” or “Hide traffic.”
• “Show satellite.” or “Hide satellite.”
• “Navigate home.” or “Navigate to Starbucks.”
• “Show route overview.” or “Show alternate routes.”
• “What road is this?”
• “What’s my next turn?”
• “What’s my ETA?”
• “How’s traffic ahead?” or “How’s traffic to home?”
• “Avoid tolls.” or “Enable tolls.”
• “Avoid highways.” or “Enable highways.”
• “Avoid ferries.” or “Enable ferries.”
• “Exit navigation.”

Additional commands

• “Call Mom.”
• “Find gas stations.” or “Find restaurants.”
• “Send a text to Larry.” or “Send an SMS to Sergey, I’m feeling lucky.”
• “What’s the weather like?” or “How’s the weather in Seattle?”
• “Play some jazz.” or “Play happy birthday on Google Play Music.”
• “What’s the closest hotel?”
• “When’s my next meeting?”

What do you think of Google Maps’ new voice commands? Let us know your take in the comments below!

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