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Google Will Tell You How Crowded Places Are In Real Time (pcmag.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the holiday-shopping dept.

Google is updating their "Popular Times" feature in Search and Maps with real-time data that will be able to tell you how busy a place is in real time. PC Magazine reports: "Just in time for the Black Friday swarms, we're adding a real-time look at how crowded a place is right now, to help you decide where and when to go," Google Product Manager Jamie Aspinall wrote in a blog post. "Whether you're rushing to pick up a last-minute gift or seeking a lively bar for some festive spirit, check Popular Times for a sneak preview of what to expect when you arrive." If you're one of those people who always needs a plan, you're going to love the next new feature. You can now see how long people typically stay at a given location, so you can "plan your itinerary to the minute." "After all, you want to be sure you leave enough time to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate at your local sweets shop before heading to your dinner reservations," Aspinall pointed out. In addition, Google will be able to deliver more accurate business hours for your favorite establishments. "You'll know what time to pop by the pharmacy..., when food delivery begins at a nearby restaurant..., and what the service hours are at the auto dealership," Aspinall wrote.

2 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. Brought to you by excessive tracking by NotInHere · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm just waiting for the first reports of people getting ads for baby clothing before they even know they are pregnant.

  2. Re:Also tracks protests! by ShooterNeo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They also spy on the police. Only reason there's such an uproar over routine wrongful police shootings (aka shootings the police have gotten away with committing for decades since generally the courts believe anything the officer says) is because of the ubiquitous cameras.

    Also, members of the black community would have had personal experience with wrongful police actions - that is why they would generally not hate on and not cooperate with the police. Now the more liberal members of the white community have joined in on the action because with the camera recordings it is obvious which side is correct.