An updated version of Google Maps was launched that provides Street View images right on your mobile device. You will now be able to get the same “street-level imagery” that you do on your standard desktop computer on your cell phone.
This is really pretty convenient, because you are given the opportunity to see storefronts and locations. After all, how often have you been 100% certain that a particular shop was an old favorite based on its name and general location, only to find out you’ve never been there before!
Also built into Google Maps for your phone are business reviews and walking directions, which was just released on the desktop version as well. This update should also provide a speedier experience, greater accuracy and more. You can download it now for your BlackBerry or any phone with Java enabled. Google says they’re working to bring this function to other platforms as well. Check out a video of Google Maps mobile with Street View below.
[via Google Mobile Blog]
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google. Show all posts
Google upgrade iPhone interface: faster & more finger-friendly
Google has done its bit in celebrating Macworld by upgrading the customised ‘iGoogle’ interface designed especially for the iPhone. The first version, launched at the beginning of December, brought mobile Safari-friendly access of search, Gmail, Calendar and Reader to the handset, while this upgrade boosts speed, increases the flexibility in arranging tabs and options, adds automatic refresh to the Gmail inbox and brings iGoogle gadgets to the cellphone.
With plans to roll out the improved UI to international versions of the iPhone, as well as other handsets “that offer similar usability and browser capabilities”, this will only add fuel to the rumors that Google see the iPhone as a test-bed for internet-based applications eventually to be found on their own Android cellphone platform.
The latest gPhone rumor - Google to launch its phone in a fortnight
Before you read too much into this, be sure to get your recommended dose of salt ready. A newspaper out of India is reporting that Google will in fact be releasing a phone, and much sooner than anyone would have anticipated. According to their unnamed source it will be only a fortnight before we hear an official launch from Google. Their source goes on to tell us that Google is currently in talks with two of the largest carriers in India for the phones release and that we can look forward to a simultaneous release in both the UK and the US. While I don’t see the phone coming out in a couple of weeks, I will admit that it would be great to see it released in the US and the UK at the same time.
All too often do we see a product released in on place, while the other sits around patiently waiting for their turn. (see: iPhone)
Google of course has declined to comment on the latest rumor and was careful to neither confirm nor deny their plans for a phone. They did however have this to say, “Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere.”
Debunking the Latest gPhone Rumor [via apple2.0]
Google Phone a Reality Again? New Prototype Surfaces
Things had been quiet for a while on the Google Phone rumors front, but it looks like talk about the device has surfaced again. Only, this time, the concept is looking much less like a rumor and more like an inevitability.
Additionally, the Google phone will reportedly offer free service. Instead of relying on a large price tag and/or monthly fees, the Google phone will supposedly generate revenue for Google via commercial advertising dollars. Specifically, in exchange for free calling, Google phone users will be served advertisements.
Google is particularly excited about the possibilities of mobile phone advertising. As a result of the individual nature of mobile phone ownership, along with on-board mobile phone technology such as GPS, the ability to personalize the advertisements well exceed current levels of sophistication.
Based on current information, it seems like there may be Google phones, rather than just a single Google phone, with Google determining a set of specifications that manufacturers must meet in order to create and market a Google approved phone.
Still, information is scarce, but more details seem to be coming to light.
Reports have been surfacing which indicate that Google has been showing off a prototype mobile phone to different carriers. According to an article published Thursday in the Wall Street Journal, Google is showing the the prototype around while continuing to hone and improve the product to offer a browsing and internet experience superior to what is currently available.
Additionally, the Google phone will reportedly offer free service. Instead of relying on a large price tag and/or monthly fees, the Google phone will supposedly generate revenue for Google via commercial advertising dollars. Specifically, in exchange for free calling, Google phone users will be served advertisements.
Google is particularly excited about the possibilities of mobile phone advertising. As a result of the individual nature of mobile phone ownership, along with on-board mobile phone technology such as GPS, the ability to personalize the advertisements well exceed current levels of sophistication.
Based on current information, it seems like there may be Google phones, rather than just a single Google phone, with Google determining a set of specifications that manufacturers must meet in order to create and market a Google approved phone.
Still, information is scarce, but more details seem to be coming to light.
Google and Sprint team-up on WiMAX For Mobile Web
Yesterday, Google and Sprint-Nextel announced that they are in the works of offering Internet search services via a web portal that the latter is developing for its WiMAX high-speed wireless service.
The latest partnership is by far the search giant’s closest alliance with a leading US mobile service provider. The new joint venture is anticipated to augment internet access over Sprint’s new network and enhance use of Google’s search and communications services on mobile devices.
“This seems to be a bigger deal than what [Google has] done in the past, more comprehensive,” observed Pacific Crest analyst Steve Weinstein, who expects wireless services to be a “very material driver” for Google by late 2008 and early 2009.
Even though Google has penned deals with overseas mobile providers, analysts claim it to be much behind Yahoo Inc. in the U.S. mobile Web market.
According to Google, wireless is a key to its growth and its strategy of selling Internet advertising.
The Mountain View, Calif., company is in the midst of a lobbying battle over rules governing an upcoming U.S. government auction of airwaves.
With this deal, Google becomes Sprint’s exclusive search provider for WiMAX service, maintained Sprint’s chief technology officer, Barry West. Adding, that the agreement should help raise Sprint’s image as a provider of wireless Web services.
“If you think of the Internet you automatically think of Google,” West said. “Obviously having a powerful partner on the Internet helps us become synonymous with the mobile Internet.”
Spring will be combining technology for discovering user location with the help of Google tools on devices running on a high-speed network Sprint was building based on WiMAX technology. The Google tools would be the ones such as email and chat
Though WiMAX offers Web access speeds five times faster than typical wireless networks, all the same it much slower than wired broadband.
This service would be free for access, and will earn its revenues through search-related advertising. Google and Sprint will share advertising revenue.
Sprint intends using the up-and-coming WiMAX technology to better compete with rival wireless and wired broadband networks.It plans to test the WiMAX service in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington by 2007-end, with a goal of achieving coverage for 100 million people by the end of 2008. The company is hoping that users will in due course use the service through WiMAX-embedded devices like laptops and cell phones.
The latest partnership is by far the search giant’s closest alliance with a leading US mobile service provider. The new joint venture is anticipated to augment internet access over Sprint’s new network and enhance use of Google’s search and communications services on mobile devices.
“This seems to be a bigger deal than what [Google has] done in the past, more comprehensive,” observed Pacific Crest analyst Steve Weinstein, who expects wireless services to be a “very material driver” for Google by late 2008 and early 2009.
Even though Google has penned deals with overseas mobile providers, analysts claim it to be much behind Yahoo Inc. in the U.S. mobile Web market.
According to Google, wireless is a key to its growth and its strategy of selling Internet advertising.
The Mountain View, Calif., company is in the midst of a lobbying battle over rules governing an upcoming U.S. government auction of airwaves.
With this deal, Google becomes Sprint’s exclusive search provider for WiMAX service, maintained Sprint’s chief technology officer, Barry West. Adding, that the agreement should help raise Sprint’s image as a provider of wireless Web services.
“If you think of the Internet you automatically think of Google,” West said. “Obviously having a powerful partner on the Internet helps us become synonymous with the mobile Internet.”
Spring will be combining technology for discovering user location with the help of Google tools on devices running on a high-speed network Sprint was building based on WiMAX technology. The Google tools would be the ones such as email and chat
Though WiMAX offers Web access speeds five times faster than typical wireless networks, all the same it much slower than wired broadband.
This service would be free for access, and will earn its revenues through search-related advertising. Google and Sprint will share advertising revenue.
Sprint intends using the up-and-coming WiMAX technology to better compete with rival wireless and wired broadband networks.It plans to test the WiMAX service in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington by 2007-end, with a goal of achieving coverage for 100 million people by the end of 2008. The company is hoping that users will in due course use the service through WiMAX-embedded devices like laptops and cell phones.
Google Is Working On A New Platform For Mobile Content
Google’s interest in mobile phones market is not a novelty. In several occasion, Google’s officials expressed their interest in building new services and platforms for the mobile market. So the latest rumor brought to us by Wall Street Journal might have some grounds. Quoting sources familiar with the matter, Wall Street Journal claims that Google is developing a new search platform for mobile content such as ringtones and downloads.
In fact, Google is working with content providers to index materials from entertainment and mobile-media companies in order to build a large gateway for users to find more rapidly their favorite ringtones, backgrounds, or game.
The users will be able to purchase the content directly from this platform and according to Wall Street Journal the Mountain View eventually plans to charge providers for higher placement in the search results.
Already Google has released some of its services, as Google Search and Gmail for mobile phones, and earlier this month some reports indicated that a mobile version of Google AdSense is in beta test.
Last year, in an interview with Reuters, Eric Schmidt, Google CEO, expressed his believe that mobile phones should be free for the consumers who will accept to watch targeted forms of advertising.
Also earlier this year there were rumors about a Google mobile phone, but the company declined to comment.
It remains to be seen if Wall Street Journal report will be just a rumor or indeed Google is “cooking” something new for mobile phones in its labs.
© 2007 - eFluxMedia
Google testing AdSense for cell phones
Google (GOOG) has begun testing text ads on cell phones, offering publishers a way to make money off of their mobile sites, the company confirmed to The Utility Belt moments ago. The news came out after the Self Made Minds site reported receiving an invitation from Google last night. I just got this statement from a Google spokesperson:
Google is committed to finding new and better ways to get users the information they need while on the go, and to opening up new revenue opportunities for our partners. We are currently conducting a limited beta to test AdSense for mobile, a monetization product for mobile publishers. We will continue to evaluate the beta and will refine the product based on feedback from our users, publishers, and advertisers. We have nothing further to announce at this time.
Google wouldn't say anything about the scope of the test, but offered to keep me in the loop on future updates.
I did manage to dig up a few more details, however.
According to information on Google's AdWords Help Center, mobile ads are available in 13 countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, China, Ireland, India, Russia and Australia. Advertisers can target their ads to specific countries. Google says the cost is similar to its standard PC Web ads.
The ads contain two lines of text, with 12 or 18 characters per line, depending on the language. Advertisers have the option to let people call their business directly from the ad. Advertisers pay only when someone clicks on the ad, or initiates a call from the ad. At right, what it might look like:
Google's limited beta could be an important moment for the mobile Web. Assuming cell phone users respond to contextual advertising, the resulting revenue stream could compel media companies and retailers to invest more time and resources into building compelling mobile sites.
It should also compel rivals Yahoo (YHOO) and Microsoft (MSFT) to ramp up their own mobile ad offerings.
If mobile ads are successful and create an ecosystem of mobile content, more people are likely to actually get online from their phones – and the price of Web-ready phones and service should drop.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt has already said it's possible that cell phone ads could subsidize the cost of phone service – these might be the first steps toward that becoming a reality.
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