Just as gasoline prices promise to rise to record levels, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) has found a new outlet for its Google Maps -- the gas pump. I think this is a splendid idea, particularly for drivers who need gas and directions, although there seems to me to be some danger that Google could tarnish its Do No Evil brand by associating itself so closely with the oil industry.
The Associated Press reports that 3,500 gas pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, will include an internet connection and will display Google's mapping service in color on a small screen. Motorists will be able to scroll through several categories to find local landmarks, hotels, restaurants and hospitals selected by the gas station's owner. After the driver selects a destination, the pump will print out directions. Eventually, Gilbarco Veeder-Root hopes to enable motorists to type in a specific address and get directions.
Google will not put advertisements on the maps but the participating retailers will be able to make extra money from other merchants that offer coupons on the service. Google seems to think that giving away its maps at the gas pump will increase the number of people who use the service in places where it does advertise. I just wonder whether people will feel good about Google as they watch the price of filling up their tanks climb towards $100.
Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-07-2007 @ 11:57AM
Jane Goodie said...
The latest Google deal will benefit drivers. The Gphone will make all media more ubiquitous. That will be good for investors, too. The NewsVisual article on Google’s Open Handset Alliance http://www.newsvisual.com/newsvisual/2007/11/google-and-moto.html implies that it’s really personal connections among business leaders that determine future success in the competitive marketplace. But consumers can also benefit from the new products those alliances spawn.
11-07-2007 @ 12:55PM
Gumby said...
Every American's time is valuable and we are wasting two hours of our daily lives being stuck in traffic listening to know nothing Rush Limbaughs or Howard Sterns on Sirius radios.. Unable to do 65 mph toward work and back home is a major American disaster!!! We can do that with massive carpooling programs!!
11-07-2007 @ 12:55PM
Gumby said...
Gphones can help match drivers and riders to increase carpooling to work, shopping, churches, events, visits, etc. If you are a driver in need for a rider to save money on future $6 gasoline, you can punch buttons on your dashboard and give your destination and search for riders who are going along the same way or the destination. With GPS, you can find riders on streets, homes, stores, churches, events , workplaces , or anywhere and know that any rider is safe to let hop in your car without any worry of any crime. This is the ideal way of cutting down on our nation's insane thirst of oil. We have two trillion oil industry that we can do away with. We dont really need three quarter of our oil demand. We can cut it down to size and Exxons or Chevrons can go suck eggs!@
11-08-2007 @ 5:56AM
zak star said...
pain of $4 gas? give me a break - in england we're paying $7.94 gas (at $2.10/£) - then you can start moaning.