Google gets more local with "City Tours"... Looks like they are refining walking navigation...

Google gets more local with "City Tours"... Looks like they are refining walking navigation...

Google LatLong: Plan a trip in one click:

Monday, December 28, 2009 at 1:55 PM

Why should trip planning be any more complicated than opening your browser and entering the name of your favourite city? Six months ago we launched City Tours on Google Labs with the goal of making vacation planning as easy as searching the web. After all, Google knows the top sights in many cities around the world and we've been providing directions on Google Maps for years, so Google Labs seemed to be the perfect way to test out a combination of these two capabilities, with our computing power thrown in to sift through the thousands of possibilities."

Googles Nexus One Phone Specs: From Engadget

Googles Nexus One Phone Specs: From Engadget

Exclusive: Nexus One full specs detailed, invite-only retail sales starting January 5th? -- Engadget

Google Streetview as Art

Google captures life while capturing streets....

http://www.artfagcity.com/2009/08/12/img-mgmt-the-nine-eyes-of-google-street-view/

MapQuest realizes the importance of POI's.

MapQuest realizes the importance of POI's.

from MapQuest's Blog:

Over 700,000 New Business Listings Added To MapQuest.com - MapQuest Blog:

"Now you'll find more than 700,000 new and informative business listings nationwide in popular search categories such as restaurants, hotels, shopping, spas, bars, clubs and more through our partnership with Citysearch. In addition to more listings, you'll also find greater editorial content for each business including restaurant menus, coupons and special offers, business hours, and customer ratings and reviews, so you can search, research, and of course, get a map or directions to get there..."

The Future of Navigation More Connected Consumers, More Features (BizMappers)

The Future of Navigation More Connected Consumers, More Features (BizMappers):

Dec 18, 2009 -

Greater Accessibility of Navigation Technology on Various Platforms

The market for traditional navigation devices continues to grow but even greater growth is expected in smart phones -- handheld devices with navigation features. In 2007, the introduction of the iPhone which made navigation technology available to a broader base of consumers through downloadable applications or 'apps.' That means navigation devices are not just on the dashboard. They are now in the hands of teens and adults, driving their choices from where to stop for services, shop or dine.

We can expect navigation system ownership (of in-vehicle systems, portable systems or navigation-equipped smart phones) to have doubled from 56.4 million households today to more than 110 million households by 2013, meaning 89.5% of US households will then own navigation devices.* Such widespread use of navigation technology creates a major shift in how businesses can best reach current customers and attract new ones..."

Consumer Reports Blog: Consumer Reports GPS navigation chat

Consumer Reports Blog: Consumer Reports GPS navigation chat:

December 15, 2009

Consumer Reports GPS navigation chat


With the holidays nearing closer and only a few more shopping days left, Consumer Reports experts were online Tuesday December 15th at 1 p.m. ET, to discuss portable GPS navigation systems and give advice how to choose the right one.

We recently updated our GPS ratings with the latest models out in the market ranging from basic navigators to traffic-ready models with features such as Bluetooth calling and spoken street names. In addition, we have updated our handheld hiking GPS ratings and reviewed several navigation apps for the iPhone. (See the hiking GPS buying advice.)...

Yahoo! Search Blog - Yahoo enhances search with improved local search results...rch for Local Businesses

Yahoo! Search Blog - Get More Personally Relevant Results When You Search for Local Businesses:

We just made it easier to search for local businesses. Starting today, you can see the Yahoo! local business shortcut when you search for a business, even if you don’t include your location in your query. You can also refine results by neighborhood or nearby city right on the search results page.

We’ve seen in our user studies that, in many cases, users search for a local business without specifying a location but still want to see a Yahoo! Shortcut for that business. Now, they can. For example, if you are in the Palo Alto area and search for “evvia,” Yahoo! Search displays the local shortcut for the restaurant, including address, phone number, and reviews...."

Google updates Place Pages.......

Google updates Place Pages.......

Google LatLong: Go beyond just a few stars: See what makes a business shine:

"Go beyond just a few stars: See what makes a business shine
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 1:35 PM

Today, we launched a new feature to rank and show distinguishing aspects for businesses on their Place Pages. By taking a look at a Place Page, you can quickly get a better sense of what people are saying about a business and view relevant snippets about each specific aspect (say, the price, the service, or the infamous deep dish pizza) from all over the web. You can then dive deeper by going to the source and reading the full reviews. The new color-coded bars will give you a simple numeric overview of the how the business rates on each feature."

Map Quest playing catch-up w/ Street-Level Imagery

Map Quest playing catch-up w/ Street-Level Imagery

Street-Level Imagery Comes To MapQuest.com as "360 View" - MapQuest Blog:

"Street-Level Imagery Comes To MapQuest.com as '360 View'
Posted Dec 11th 2009 5:50AM by Jarrod Krug
Filed under: Features and Improvements
With 2009 quickly coming to a close, we at MapQuest have a few more tricks up our sleeve before we all ring-in the New Year. One surprise that we are particularly excited about is our new '360 View'. That's right, street-level imagery has come to MapQuest.com, just in time for the holidays!

What is 360 View?
As the name implies, 360� view provides fantastic panoramic views (360� horizontally and 160� vertically) of any given image within the 360 View coverage area (initially 30 cities and 15 13 suburbs across the United States with more to come). We have studied our industry, gleaning tidbits here and there, and polled our customer base in creating a simple, easy-to-use interface that fits seamlessly into the MapQuest mapping experience you have come to know and understand. Best of all, MapQuest 360 View 'just works' without requiring any non-standard 3rd party player downloads."

Location Marketing in the Information Age

By Patrick@BizMappers.com, Dec. 7, 2009.

How is your business mapped in a potential customer's search on Google or Bing? How about when that customer searches on an iPhone or GPS device?

The answer is becoming more critical every day to the success of restaurants, retail outlets and any other business that serves customers at a physical location. Business owners need to review the way their businesses are listed online, correct any omissions or errors and provide a full and properly organized profile of contact information, hours and other relevant details to the databases that feed these devices. A missing, incomplete or incorrect listing will cost you customers...

Continue Reading

GPS systems and garage door openers convenient for break-ins -- NaviGadget

GPS systems and garage door openers convenient for break-ins -- NaviGadget:

"Two men in Michigan and Ohio just got caught stealing GPS navigation systems and remote garage door openers to break-in victims’ homes.

They would mostly target movie theater and restaurant parking lots, break into vehicles, and then use the ‘home’ address in the navigation system to go to their home and break-in without any difficultly using the garage door opener."

Thanks NaviGadget for the heads up.

Official Google Blog: Explore a whole new way to window shop, with Google and your mobile phone

Official Google Blog: Explore a whole new way to window shop, with Google and your mobile phone

Explore a whole new way to window shop, with Google and your mobile phone

12/07/2009 06:00:00 AM

What if you could decide where to shop, eat or hang out, with a little help from local Google users?

It might take you a while to ask them all, so to make it easier we've launched a new effort to send window decals to over 100,000 local businesses in the U.S. that have been the most sought out and researched on Google.com and Google Maps. We're calling these businesses the "Favorite Places on Google" and you'll now start to find them in over 9,000 towns and cities, in all 50 states. You can also explore a sample of the Favorite Places in 20 of the largest U.S. cities at google.com/favoriteplaces. Each window decal has a unique bar code,known as a QR code that you can scan with any of hundreds of mobile devices — including iPhone, Android-powered phones, BlackBerry and more — to take you directly to that business's Place Page on your mobile phone. With your mobile phone and these new decals, you can easily go up to a storefront and immediately find reviews, get a coupon if the business is offering one or star a business as a place you want to remember for the future. Soon, you'll be able to leave a review on the mobile page as well, just like on your desktop.

What's nearby? Official Google Mobile Blog: Mobile Search for a New Era: Voice, Location and Sight

Official Google Mobile Blog: Mobile Search for a New Era: Voice, Location and Sight

Search by Location
Search by Voice
Search by Sight

Read More...

Bing Maps Beta: The Good and the Bad - PC World

Bing Maps Beta: The Good and the Bad - PC World:

Jared Newman
Dec 3, 2009 10:48 am
It's tempting to compare Bing Maps Beta, Microsoft's revamped mapping service, to Google Maps. And the two services do have plenty of common features. But once you start exploring Bing Maps Beta, you'll find lots of features that Google Maps doesn't have, so let's examine those features on their own merits...."

Thanks PC World

PublicEarth: "5 million POIs at launch" from GPS Bus. News

From GPS Business News:
PublicEarth: "5 million POIs at launch":

Global explorer Duncan McCall created PublicEarth after years of traveling the world, sharing information with fellow travelers on paper maps, while trying to avoid difficult border crossings and, occasionally, landmine fields. Self-described as the 'Wiki of Places', PublicEarth was launched two weeks ago with mission to offer a comprehensive database of detailed long-tail information..." (more)

Thanks GPS Business News

From PocketGPSWorld.com ~ Have iPhone will travel iPhone Navigation Apps compared

From PocketGPSWorld.com :
Have iPhone will travel iPhone Navigation Apps compared: "Applications Compared ... used the latest versions of the applications from the AppStore available as of October 15th 2009. Some of these have been updated since then, so check our website for current details. The Apps looked at were:

CoPilot 8.0.0.417
G-Map 1.3.1
Navigon US 1.2
NavNGo iGo 8.4.2.96110
Sygic Mobile Maps 7.71
TomTom 1.0 (8.150)
Reliability

The main question needed to answer was: 'Is the iPhone a competent device for navigation'."....

Thanks PocketGPSWorld.com

From the Official Google Mobile Blog: Keep your starred items in sync with Google Maps

Official Google Mobile Blog: Keep your starred items in sync with Google Maps:

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 7:50 AM

Google Maps for mobile has long allowed you to add stars on a map to mark your favorite places. You may have noticed a few months ago that Google Maps for desktop browsers introduced the ability to star places as well. Unfortunately, there was no way to keep these starred places in sync with Google Maps on your phone. With today's release of Google Maps for mobile 3.3 on Windows Mobile and Symbian phones, you'll now be able to keep the starred places on your phone and on your computer completely synchronized."...

Google Maps Streetview has competition: Bing - Bing Maps Adds Streetside, Enhanced Bird’s Eye, Photosynth and More - Bing Maps Blog - Bing Community

Google Maps Streetview has competition:

Bing - Bing Maps Adds Streetside, Enhanced Bird’s Eye, Photosynth and More - Bing Maps Blog - Bing Community:

...Streetside photography in Bing Maps...

... two new map modes – Streetside and Enhanced Bird’s Eye."...

Official Google Blog: We knew the web was big...

Why is it important for businesses to get listed as POI's in the databases that drive maps & GPS devices?

The web has 1 trillion pages...

Official Google Blog: We knew the web was big...:

"We knew the web was big...
7/25/2008 10:12:00 AM

We've known it for a long time: the web is big. The first Google index in 1998 already had 26 million pages, and by 2000 the Google index reached the one billion mark. Over the last eight years, we've seen a lot of big numbers about how much content is really out there. Recently, even our search engineers stopped in awe about just how big the web is these days -- when our systems that process links on the web to find new content hit a milestone: 1 trillion (as in 1,000,000,000,000) unique URLs on the web at once!"

From GPS Business News: Over 260M Off-deck LBS Apps Downloads in 2010

Over 260M Off-deck LBS Apps Downloads in 2010:

From GPS Business News

"Over 260M Off-deck LBS Apps Downloads in 2010"

In a new report, ABI Research expects off-deck LBS application downloads to increase to more than 260 million in 2010 and to reach almost two billion by 2014.

“The main drivers of this off-deck LBS revolution are the sudden rise in popularity of a new generation of touch-screen GPS-enabled smartphones, combined with a wide range of application stores launched by handset and mobile operating system vendors,” says ABI Research practice director Dominique Bonte."

Berg Insight: 88 percent of PNDs sold in 2015 will have integrated cellular connectivity

Berg Insight:

"2009-11-20
Berg Insight says 88 percent of PNDs sold in 2015 will have integrated cellular connectivity
According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, global shipments of Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) will peak at about 50 million units per year in 2012 and slightly decline thereafter. Growing shipments in emerging markets are not likely to fully compensate for the decline in Europe and North America, where higher adoption of handset-based navigation services will become the primary navigation solution for occasional users. Nevertheless, multiple navigation solutions and device types are likely to co-exist also in the future. Most PNDs and in-car navigation systems still provide a better user experience than many handset-based navigation services. Moreover, handset navigation services are also well suited as a complement to other solutions, especially for use outside the car. PND vendors are increasingly looking at value-added services enabled by new devices with wireless connectivity to combat slower market growth, increasing competition and commoditisation of entry-level devices. Berg Insight forecasts that 88 percent of PNDs shipped worldwide in 2015 will have integrated cellular connectivity. “The connected PND segment has had a slow start, but now seems to be on-track as business models have been refined”, said Andre Malm, Senior Analyst, Berg Insight." Read more...

Official Google Mobile Blog: Get mobile coupons through Local Search

Official Google Mobile Blog: Get mobile coupons through Local Search: "Get mobile coupons through Local Search"

Monday, November 23, 2009 9:55 AM

Since we launched printable coupons on Google Maps a few years ago, people are increasingly using their mobile phones to find local information when they're away from a computer. With more of you going mobile to search for this information, it makes sense for coupons to go mobile too."

Everyman Offers New Directions in Online Maps - NYTimes.com

Everyman Offers New Directions in Online Maps - NYTimes.com: "Online Maps: Everyman Offers New Directions

By MIGUEL HELFT
Published: November 16, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — They don’t know it, but people who use Google’s online maps may be getting directions from Richard Hintz.

Mr. Hintz, a 62-year-old engineer who lives in Berkeley, Calif., has tweaked the locations of more than 200 business listings and points of interest in cities across the state, sliding an on-screen place marker down the block here, moving another one across the street there."......

The Four Corners Of Local Search | Small Business Trends

From: Lisa Barone @ Small Business Trends: The Four Corners Of Local Search | Small Business Trends: "One of the sessions that really stood out for me was the Local Search and Mobile Optimization panel. During the presentation, one of the speakers, William Leake, identified four important areas for local search that I thought may be worth sharing. Together they make up the four corners of local search...."

Official Google Blog: Fifty states of Street View

Official Google Blog: Fifty states of Street View: "Fifty states of Street View

11/09/2009 05:10:00 PM

In 1959 Hawaii became the 50th state admitted to the union. Today, 50 years later, we're including Hawaii as the 50th state in Street View on Google Maps. With our imagery of Oahu and Maui, you can now take a virtual vacation to white sandy beaches, revisit special places from your honeymoon, or plan your next getaway. We've worked with the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau to create collections in our new Street View Gallery featuring Hawaii's best beaches...

Google LatLong: Street View gets down to business

Google LatLong: Street View gets down to business:

"Street View gets down to business
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 1:50 PM

Finding a business with Street View just became easier. For example, if you search for 'thai restaurants near mountain view' on Google Maps, and click on a search result, a bubble pops up with various links, including a link to 'Street View'.



You can click on the 'Street View' link to see the restaurant marked directly in Street View with a 3D marker just like the one you'd find on the map. Clicking the marker displays more details about the restaurant without leaving Street View."

Augmented Reality Goes Mobile - BusinessWeek.com- msnbc.com

Did you know iphone users can look through the iphone camera at your business and see POI information and reviews of your business on the screen?

Augmented Reality Goes Mobile
- BusinessWeek.com- msnbc.com:

"It was the shake heard 'round the world. On Aug. 27, 2009, berblogger Robert Scoble uncovered a hidden software feature buried within an iPhone application that provides access to Yelp.com reviews.

The secret, it turns out, was that users needed to shake the phone to activate the capability, known as Monocle. In the wake of Scoble's discovery, shared publicly via FriendFeed, iPhone users far and wide could be seen shaking their iPhones to get access to the new feature. Yet the frenzy was about more than the novelty of how to open it, or even the trove of Yelp.com reviews.

The bigger prize was in how that information shows up on the phone. Once Monocle is activated, users looking through the iPhone camera can see reviews and other information about restaurants, stores, and other businesses in the direction the camera is pointing. Monocle was one of the first smartphone applications in the U.S. to use a technology known as augmented reality, which meshes digital information with actual images of the subject of that data."

GPS U.S. Household Penetration (GPSmagazine.com)

Big growth in Navigation. Handsets with navigation growth from (2009) 2.6 million units to (2013) 14.2 million units in the US.

Businesses can't ignore this booming technology...

GPS U.S. Household Penetration (GPSmagazine.com)

There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone? | Circuit Breaker - CNET News

There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone? | Circuit Breaker - CNET News: "There's a map for that: GPS or smartphone?
by Erica Ogg

Garmin is making both smartphones and dedicated GPS devices now.
(Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET)
As mobile phones become more powerful and GPS information easier to get, it's getting to the point where we have to wonder if buying a standalone personal navigation device makes sense anymore.
Personal nav devices were the hot gift item for the holidays just two years ago, but things have changed pretty drastically in the last year. Prices on GPS devices are dropping and while they're very reasonable, almost any smartphone sold today comes with some sort of GPS or mapping feature. So which is a better choice? Separate GPS device or smartphone with mapping software?"

Lost? Don't Google Gillette - The Sun Chronicle Online - News

Even the New England Patriots need to take ownership of there location information....

Lost? Don't Google Gillette - The Sun Chronicle Online - News

Google Maps Navigation on Droid

Google Maps Navigation is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. It is part of Google Maps for mobile and is available for phones with Android 2.0.

Google Maps Navigation uses your phone's internet connection to give you the latest maps and business data. But that's not all that's different about Google's approach to GPS navigation....

Google Maps Navigation on your mobile phone

Now Available, BizMapper’s “Get Found” Package for Getting your Business on the Map and Driving New Business to your Door.

Press Release
________________________________________

Now Available, BizMapper’s “Get Found” Package for Getting your Business on the Map and Driving New Business to your Door.

Upton, MA USA (www.BizMappers.com) October 28, 2009 – The “Get Found” package offering, newly announced by BizMappers today, is an important tool for retailers and service providers. All businesses that depend upon customers choosing them over other nearby businesses need to be listed and listed accurately in the key databases that drive mapping tools and navigation devices. The BizMappers product will ensure that.

Competition for customers is fierce therefore businesses need to leverage their map and location-based information to the technologies consumers are using to locate and select business products and services. Consumers’ methods of selecting a retailer or service provider have changed dramatically in the last 5 years. Decisions are based on where their laptop, mobile phone or GPS units tell them to go. When seeking out a cup of coffee in an unfamiliar town, modern-day consumers “Google” or check their GPS for the closest Points of Interest (POI). This is where BizMappers “Get Found” package gets businesses found first and more often.
The BizMappers “Get Found” package provides the consulting, expertise and action needed to get business information listed and verified.

BizMappers will enter businesses in the key databases that drive mapping tools and navigation devices, where currently only 5% of businesses are captured, many incorrectly. BizMappers’ offering will facilitate new customers ability to search, find, map and locate businesses. Focus on your business, let BizMappers get you noticed.

BizMappers
www.BizMappers.com
GPS and Map-Based Business Promotion Firm
Phone number: 508-603-9345
Contact: Business Solutions Project Manager
Inquiry@BizMappers.com

Google's Navigation Bombshell - Forbes.com

Google's Navigation Bombshell - Forbes.com

Google LatLong: Evolving the look of Google Maps

Google LatLong: Evolving the look of Google Maps

GOOG = BORG, and I Mean that in the Nicest Way � Fiducial Marks – Paul Bissett, WeoGeo CEO

Are you a google maps junkie?

GOOG = BORG, and I Mean that in the Nicest Way � Fiducial Marks – Paul Bissett, WeoGeo CEO: "pbissett"

Goby - Location Based Search

Cool! Location (& Event) Search

"drink beer"�results�in�boston, ma @ Goby

Hands On: Google Local Search for Mobile - Reviews by PC Magazine

With the launch of Google Local Search for Mobile, the search giant is making it easier for those with poor mobile browsers to find what they're looking for.

Hands On: Google Local Search for Mobile - Reviews by PC Magazine

Verizon Droid Is The Real Deal - washingtonpost.com

iphone challenger....

Verizon Droid Is The Real Deal - washingtonpost.com

Verizon Wireless Plans Mass LTE Deployment -- LTE -- InformationWeek

Verizon Wireless Plans Mass LTE Deployment -- LTE -- InformationWeek

As PDA's and Smartphones gobble up bandwidth, Verizon is overlaying the CMDA network with LTE.