Google steps up travel game with trip-planning app

Google unveiled a new smartphone app that helps users plan and organize their trips, extending the tech giant’s step-by-step entrance into the online travel market. The app, called Google Trips, automatically pulls details about a user’s trip from their Gmail email and recommends restaurants, attractions and “local gems” based on data gleaned from other travelers, Google said Monday in a blog post. Users can download saved itineraries and reservations so they don’t need to worry about cellular coverage when they get to their destination. Trips adds to Google’s presence in the travel market and steps up the search giant’s competition with dedicated travel and review apps like TripAdvisor Inc. and Yelp Inc.