QT needs these

[sgrizzle]

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/07/google-gas-pumps-the-savior-of-lost-men/

quote:
Latest Additive at Gas Pumps: Google

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE – 9 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — 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."

[Conan71]

Why would QT need something like that?  All you need to navigate around Tulsa now is just go QT to QT and you can find your way anywhere. []

Sounds like you might be needing one of those android phones when they come out.

[YoungTulsan]

Oh hell no.  QT is busy enough as it is, sometimes all the pumps are taken.  Pump turnover time would double with Jethro tinkering around with that there internet doodad trying to find the best place to haul his trailer full of rusted metal objects to.  (His trailer of rusted metal objects also blocking another pump while he does this)

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by YoungTulsan

Oh hell no.  QT is busy enough as it is, sometimes all the pumps are taken.  Pump turnover time would double with Jethro tinkering around with that there internet doodad trying to find the best place to haul his trailer full of rusted metal objects to.  (His trailer of rusted metal objects also blocking another pump while he does this)

You, no doubt, have seen my best friend's derelict brother at QT.  Only his name is Eddie, not Jethro. []

[TUalum0982]

I cant see why people would need these in Tulsa.  Tulsa is one of the easist cities to navigate. Main streets that run east-west are numbered, and ones that run north-south are names.  What could you find on a google map that you couldnt on a city map? Its amazing how much GPS units, have made us a "dumb society" and realy heavily on this such technology.  How difficult is it really to read a map, especially of Tulsa.  I hope we dont see these implemented.

[Conan71]

You really would be surprised how many times I have to give people directions to my shop.  

It's located less than 1/2 mile right off a busy highway exit and 1 1/2 miles from the interchange of two major highways.  Yet people still exit either in north Tulsa or get off two exits too soon, etc.