Google at the gas pump
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From: Somewhere in the Kootenays
Google at the gas pump
This will be cool.
Google to offer drivers help at gas pump
Updated Wed. Nov. 7 2007 8:22 AM ET
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Lost drivers soon will be able to Google for help at the pump. As part of a partnership to be announced Wednesday, the online search leader will dispense driving directions at thousands of gasoline pumps across the United States beginning early next month.
The pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, 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.
"We think the service will create more customer loyalty for retailers," said Gilbarco Veeder-Root spokeswoman Lucy Sackett.
Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root will initially offer the service in about 3,500 gas pumps and expand based on retailer demand.
Unlike most of Google's services, this one won't include ads bringing the company income. But participating retailers will be able to make extra money from other merchants that offer coupons on the service.
Making maps available at gas pumps appealed to Google because the Mountain View-based company wants to make its services available whenever and wherever people need them, said Karen Roter Davis, a principal business development manager for Google.
Also this week, Google unveiled plans for free cell phone software designed to make it easier and more enticing to reach the Internet on mobile devices. The first so-called smart phones equipped with Google's software, called "Android," won't be available until the second half of next year.
Calling up a map at a gas pump should be particularly popular among motorists who are too stubborn or embarrassed to pull over and ask someone for help, Roter Davis said. "This will be sort of a Googley, more stealthy way of getting directions."
Updated Wed. Nov. 7 2007 8:22 AM ET
The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO -- Lost drivers soon will be able to Google for help at the pump. As part of a partnership to be announced Wednesday, the online search leader will dispense driving directions at thousands of gasoline pumps across the United States beginning early next month.
The pumps, made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, 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.
"We think the service will create more customer loyalty for retailers," said Gilbarco Veeder-Root spokeswoman Lucy Sackett.
Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco Veeder-Root will initially offer the service in about 3,500 gas pumps and expand based on retailer demand.
Unlike most of Google's services, this one won't include ads bringing the company income. But participating retailers will be able to make extra money from other merchants that offer coupons on the service.
Making maps available at gas pumps appealed to Google because the Mountain View-based company wants to make its services available whenever and wherever people need them, said Karen Roter Davis, a principal business development manager for Google.
Also this week, Google unveiled plans for free cell phone software designed to make it easier and more enticing to reach the Internet on mobile devices. The first so-called smart phones equipped with Google's software, called "Android," won't be available until the second half of next year.
Calling up a map at a gas pump should be particularly popular among motorists who are too stubborn or embarrassed to pull over and ask someone for help, Roter Davis said. "This will be sort of a Googley, more stealthy way of getting directions."
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Interesting, so not only will people have to contend with a longer then normal wait to fuel up on a long weekend, now you'll have people blocking pumps just to find directions.
If it's managed properly, it'll be cool but, I feel my blood pressure rising already......
If it's managed properly, it'll be cool but, I feel my blood pressure rising already......
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From: Rich, Virginia
Originally Posted by Tbird69
Interesting, so not only will people have to contend with a longer then normal wait to fuel up on a long weekend, now you'll have people blocking pumps just to find directions. If it's managed properly, it'll be cool but, I feel my blood pressure rising already......
If it's managed properly, it'll be cool but, I feel my blood pressure rising already......
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: West Columbia, SC
I always use my CC at the pump. I don't want to be there any longer than I have to be.
Nevertheless, frequently the printer is out of paper and I still have to stand in that long line just to get a receipt.
It makes me mad.
Oh and the folks who smoke their cigs while pumping gas.
Nevertheless, frequently the printer is out of paper and I still have to stand in that long line just to get a receipt.
It makes me mad.
Oh and the folks who smoke their cigs while pumping gas.
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From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Originally Posted by Grubrunner
You see the glass half empty, don't you?
So yeah, anything that has the potential to make my wait at the pump even longer, I have a problem with. If that's seeing the glass half empty, then I guess I do.
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From: Rich, Virginia
I just think you skipped the positive aspects of this and went straight to the negatives, re: my comment.
Sure, it has its issues and will probably see a fair share od them during the growing pains stage, but hey, let's give it a chance as I think the concept is brilliant and once the issues are ironed out, could prove to be very advantageous to us all.
Time will tell...
Sure, it has its issues and will probably see a fair share od them during the growing pains stage, but hey, let's give it a chance as I think the concept is brilliant and once the issues are ironed out, could prove to be very advantageous to us all.
Time will tell...
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From: n.w. corner of mo
Originally Posted by Tbird69
Why do you say that? I spend alot of time at the pumps. I fuel up the company 1 ton 3-4 times a week, and see an incredible amount of stupidity and rudeness. Stuff like people fueling up, paying at the pump and then sitting in the car talking on their cell while their friend goes shopping. I see people smoking, blocking pumps to use the restroom, not buying gas, just stopping to use the restroom.
So yeah, anything that has the potential to make my wait at the pump even longer, I have a problem with. If that's seeing the glass half empty, then I guess I do.
So yeah, anything that has the potential to make my wait at the pump even longer, I have a problem with. If that's seeing the glass half empty, then I guess I do.
i hate it when folks block the pumps for stupid reasons. half the time i feel like hookin' up a log chain and pullin' um out of the way..
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
Originally Posted by mSaLL150
or is it, perhaps, half full? 
I propose that infact it's always full...... 1/2 liquid, 1/2 air.
