Google Assistant is even on Google Maps now

Google Assistant is coming to Google Maps.

Yep, after adding music streaming, restaurant planning, e-scooter renting, and more to its mobile maps app, Google announced Tuesday at CES in Las Vegas that its digital assistant is joining the party. 

Google Assistant is expected to be on 1 billion devices by the end of January. Amazon’s Alexa, meanwhile, is reportedly on more than 100 million devices. 

So, why add the voice-controlled assistant to Google Maps? Well, Google envisions users asking it for directions home, or to nearby restaurants and saved locations. You can ask the assistant to search for places along your route (like gas stations) or add a stop — all things that used to require some button pushing.

Beyond navigation tasks, having Google Assistant handy means you can ask it to respond to texts, play a podcast or song, or send your ETA. All those extra features are now hands free.

Google Maps, and therefore now Google Assistant, is available through Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and as of Tuesday, several new car accessories. The Anker Roav Bolt and JBL Link Drive are plug-in devices that you put into your car socket so you can use Google Assistant through Bluetooth or an AUX connection. Voila, even your older, screen-less car is now Google Assistant compatible.