Google’s quest to be everywhere continues to grow with news that the Mountain View search giant will today announce a new deal that will see motorists in the United States hooking up to Google at the gas station.
Pumps made by Gilbarco Veeder-Root Inc will include an Internet connection and will display Google Maps on a small color screen. Motorists will be able to obtain directions to hotels, restaurants, hospitals, or other local landmarks as specified by the gas station owner and get a print out from the pump to take with them.
Google will not be displaying ads against the content, however there may be opportunities for coupons and similar revenue streams at a local level directly with each gas station owner. The initial roll out will be 3,500 gas stations with future expansion dependent on demand.
(Image source: enGagdet)
I pitched a very similar concept to Dean Shannon (Dark Blue Sea founder, friend) back at Deanfest (2002) in Beverly Hills. Dean liked it as well but for some reason we never moved forward. Maybe timing was an issue, maybe just distractions, not sure. I’m still bullish on maps (especially online mapping) and one day will get into it, but for now, too many projects.. it will have to wait.
(From left: Marc Ostrovsky, Dean Shannon, Bob Martin)
Don’t I remember a phrase from MSN a while back “Where do you want to go today?” I will bet you a dime to a donut MicroSoft will jump on this band wagon fast.