A few weeks ago, Google introduced several new features aimed at improving travel planning. Thes include hotel price tracking and using AI as a personal assistant. One notably useful feature allows users to extract address information from screenshots and save it directly to Google Maps.
This feature is gradually being rolled out. Users began noticing it this week,and Google has provided a blog update on how to activate it. Currently, the focus is on iOS devices, but an Android version will be available soon.
Importance of the New Feature
Many people take screenshots of Google Search results, social media ads, or blog posts related to their travel plans. This method is fast and efficient for saving significant information when there’s no time to jot down notes.One user expressed excitement about this new capability: “Wow! this new Google maps feature can scan screenshots and save locations—something I’ve needed for ages as I have so many random screenshots.”
When revisiting these saved images, users often rely on Google Lens to pull text from the screenshots. They then store this information in planner notes or custom lists within the “You” section of Google Maps.
With Gemini's help, the AI assistant will now automatically search for relevant details in your phone's saved screenshots and compile them into a special list within the Google Maps app. According to Google's declaration in March, “Places you save will show up on the map, making it easy to share with friends.”
This function resembles Gemini’s ability to analyse files. As a notable example, when opening a PDF document in your Files app, you’ll see a Gemini chip that allows you to ask questions about its content—a feature that works quite effectively.
Steps to Activate Screenshot Scanning
To enable Gemini’s screenshot scanning feature for adding addresses into Google Maps:
- Ensure you have the latest version of the Google Maps app installed on your iPhone.
- Open the app and select “You” from the bottom menu.
- On this page, look for a new list labeled Screenshots with a “Try it out!” badge.
- Tapping on this option will display a short tutorial video explaining how it functions; you'll need permission for access to local media files stored on your device.
- After taking any screenshot containing address-related details, it will be scanned automatically in the background next time you open Google Maps; you'll receive notifications about new location data ready for review.
- You can approve which addresses you'd like saved; they’ll then be added directly into your list automatically—there's also an option for manual scanning within “You.”
- The addresses you've saved will appear both in your Screenshots list and also visually represented on maps.
By following these steps carefully, users can streamline their travel planning process considerably while keeping all necessary location details organized efficiently within one application—Google Maps makes managing travel easier than ever before!
