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Google Local Goes Mobile
bigtallmofo writes "Google has added a mobile version of their local-search service to their lineup of mobile applications available from devices equipped with XHTML-enabled browsers. Previously available mobile Google applications include their mobile web and image search and their SMS service (beta) that allows users to enter their search queries and receive results via a text message. The day of receiving unsolicited coupons for your next latte as you walk by a Starbucks is one step closer."
For those of us that travel a lot to disparate locations for our jobs, this is useful. I could goto Chicago and find the House of Blues as a nightclub or the Scotch and Cigar Bar at Palmer house. Converting this to use on a mobile just makes sense.
In God we trust, all others require data.
The day of receiving unsolicited coupons for your next latte as you walk by a Starbucks is one step closer.
What kind of crap is that?
How does google making a search page make this any closer? Especially when google is well known for their unobtrusive ads. Maybe a small ad WHEN you search but just walking by some place?
SMS and web browsing on your phone already exist. Google releasing a local search (which is sweet when used with google maps BTW) isnt going to start the spamming of your cellphone.
I suppose I have been trolled, since that sentance couldn't have been meant as much else.
It's easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.
It's a pity that most 3G phones that are offered these days (at least in the UK) are restricting surfing to the service provider's homepage.
Sounds really lame, and it definitely is. So even if I've got a great 3G phone with browsing capabilities, I can't access the Google Local Mobile page because my service provider limits my usage to its own pay-services.
I hope to see a change in this area. Monopoly is never good, and imagine only being able to surf on one site where your service provider sets the rules.
Between the inadequate text entry on my T610 and the godawful connection speed (GPRS sucks. Thanks cell phone companies!) and tiny screen, I'll just find an open wireless access point and use Google from my laptop.
You have two hands and one brain, so always code twice as much as you think!
Why is it that whenever there's a post about Google everyone keeps looking for flaws that will make them "the next Microsoft"? I'm not referring to the article mention of ads, but whenever we hear something "corporationy" about Google, we always go "ooo, there we go, EEEEVIL". I'm not saying they're saints, but yeah, I get all that free high-quality stuff from Google and I like them. When (if) they start doing evil things, then I'll see about blaming them.
Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
... that you have a good text message plan, because personally I don't see the benefit on searching via my cell phone just to be charged $.10 for information. Especially since the text message has to be 160 characters or shorter. I'll get 100 replies and only 3 of them may be relevant costing me more than it would be to just drive to a public terminal. But hey... Who's keeping count? :)
The best way to predict the future is to invent it. -Alan Kay
The day of receiving unsolicited coupons for your next latte as you walk by a Starbucks is one step closer.
and the day of me not minding a latte as I walk by a Starbucks is here!
Won't somebody please think of the Karma!
Does anyone have any information? Or are we going to frequently see cool new Google stuff which we can't really use to the fullest?
(If they have no plans, it might be nice for Slashdot to drop the practially dead Apache section and change this to Google so at least us non-Americans can filter it out).
Avantslash - View Slashdot cleanly on your mobile phone.
Ughhh. How? The Google SMS is a service where YOU request information, and Google provides information. It's a "dumb service" Google doesn't know any more about where you are than what you tell them. If your sitting in Philadelphia and do a Googble Mobile Local search for Thai in Vegas, Google will think your in Vegas and have no clue your in Philly.
Even if a next generation of this service was "smart" and used the GPS on your phone to know where you are, there's an accuracy limit of ~150 feet, IIRC. If your in Time Square in NYC, do you have any idea how many retail businesses are within 50 yards of you? It would overwhelm users who would complain in huge numbers and it would be dropped. Despite all the grassroots FUD on this issue, it's not going to happen. To get 10 foot resolution, you need to triangulate with 12 GPS satellites. To have any chance at getting line of sight with 12 satellites, you need to be a pretty open area. GPS tracking in urban areas is always going to be pretty useless
Free MacMini
I concur. Google is becoming more like Xerox and Bell Labs with much more advertisement power and a large group of fans.
(sarcasm on)Considering what spawned from those hellish places like the horrors of Unix and Apple and so on, maybe we should all be frightened what might come from the ruins of the dark land of Google.(sarcasm off)
Seriously, the small is beautiful and better than correct or workable mindset belongs in the past with things like Xenix. We're living in better times now. We can deal with Google no matter how big they get. Tinfoil hats are no help.
BTW, I can't get even their mobile pages to work reasonably swift on my Sprint service so I guess I'll wait to make use of them for when I have a more powerful phone.
If my grammar and spelling are off, I am [distracted/tired/careless] (take your pick)
Kudos to the Local team, this is a big improvement.
Can your IM do this?