Archive for the ‘gps navigation’ Category

Google has an new niche in the market, it has teamed up with Gilbarco Veeder-Root to put all the gas pumps in Google maps. and… to supply all its gas-stations with a tabletpc with googlemaps on it to get directions from.

so when you’re lost and refuelling your car, you can check your location at the pump and search for a way back to known territory. You can even print the direction on the receipt printer in the gas station. one of the reasons google provided is; to prevent people using their mobilephone or PDA while driving, since this can be dangerous to yourself and your fellow road users

The theory behind it is: Its a way to allow men who are lost, and to proud to ask for directions, be able to find the route again without losing face to their fellow men…… All good and well, but what difference does it make? In my opinion walking in a gas station and buying a map or…. buying new batteries or a carkit for my navigator isn’t that big of a problem. And I certainly won’t have to tell everybody that I don’t know where I am. If i’m in real need, I can always sent in my wife and pretend to be sleeping.

Now its true that the PDA with navigator or mobile phone with navigation is still only a small part of the navigating market, but shares are going up, almost with everything you buy thats car orientated you get a navigator from tom tom, garmin etc. only set back is you have to buy the road maps separately.

but the market is growing, so it looks like Google is investing in an market thats shrinking instead of growing…. maybe they want to implement it later inthe google software and you can plan your trip on google maps with all the gas stations in it and set waypoints where you have to refuel… etc. etc.

Lets see where this brings google.

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