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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."
I just tried to look for something and it gave me a parsing error: XML Parsing Error: not well-formed Location: http://www.google.com/xhtml?q=Pizza&near=Windsor%2 C+on&site=local&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&btnG=Googl e+Search Line Number 2, Column 5693:
Even people on vacation with the family and kids could use this. Need to find a gas station, Burger King, or even quickie mart on the road? Just use Google Local. Now if you could get it to work with your Treo and a GPS that would be cool.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
It appears that US Cellular users cannot use this Google service, as USC does not support 'short codes', but instead requires 10 digit numbers.
All this means is that mobile users can access Google Local results. Users have to enter their selected location, just like they do for "regular" Google Local. Google's not figuring out the location by pinpointing the mobile user. If Google did get into targeted ads, I see no reason why they'd abandon their practice of doing so in a tasteful, optional way.
He'll be with 3. Cheap, but no web browsing, and (in my experience), appalling customer service.
I appear to have a blog. Odd.