This ultra-cool new Google Maps feature is on its way to Amsterdam

Google Maps is rolling out a new immersive mode to “reimagine how you explore and navigate” places, and Amsterdam is one of the first cities to receive the feature. And let us just tell you: it’s super leuk!

This new feature, called “Immersive View,” uses Artificial Intelligence to basically allow users to travel the globe without leaving their couch — all from their smartphone. 🤷‍♀️ 

(Where was this during the pandemic?!)

How does it work?

Google’s Immersive View works by fusing billions of Google Street View images and aerial photos to create a 3D view of a specific city or landmark. 🌆

On top of these 3D images, Immersive View layers helpful information like weather, traffic, and how busy a place is — allowing users to explore places before visiting them in real life. 

Google gives the example of the Rijksmuseum:

“Say you’re planning a visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. You can virtually soar over the building and see where things like the entrances are. With the time slider, you can see what the area looks like at different times of day and what the weather will be like.”

But it gets better. Using Google’s immersive view, you will even be able to take a look inside buildings or restaurants, so you can make sure to “check the vibe of a spot” before going there. Pretty handig, huh? 🤳

I wanna try!

You can! This new Google Maps feature has already been launched in London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and Los Angeles. 😍

Alongside Amsterdam, the feature will come to Dubin, Florence, and Venice “in the coming months,” as Google has announced. We can’t wait!

Will you be using Google Maps’ new feature? Tell us in the comments!