There’s a new kind of gasoline pump being shipped to gas stations, and it’s the kind of thing guys will like. If you need directions, just check the pump. These new devices are equipped with a stripped-down version of Google Maps, pre-loaded with locations hand-picked by the station owner.
Once you find your destination on the device, you can even print out the directions and coupons. As of now, Google will not place advertising on the service, encouraging gas station owners to work with their local restaurants, hotels, and other destinations.
There’s a strong drawback. If you don’t have a destination address, and the place you want to visit is not one of the gas station’s “partners,” the maps will be useless. You’ll have to suck it up and ask for directions from a live human being anyway.
Those of us filling up in New Jersey are not permitted to pump our own gas, so we probably won’t see this technology. In fact, some gas stations around here haven’t upgraded their pumps since what I imagine would be some time in the 1960s or 1970s. This could be helpful when traveling out of state, though.
Gas Stations Getting Pumped for Google Maps [News.com]
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Looks very handy. I hope to see this around soon. On the other hand, Google gave us very crappy directions to Georgetown today. Fortunately we found a nice lady who helped us get there.
That does sound like a pretty cool idea.
That is an awesome concept. Leave it to Google to innovate. It won’t be long though before Google incorporates ads into this feature. I think they will wait until it becomes more widespread, then open up the features to allow more locations – with the ability to print coupons, ads, etc. It sounds like a wonderful marketing idea.
That’s a pretty cool idea because I am one of those people that hates asking for directions. (I bought a Tom Tom though).
I never understood those states where you can’t pump your own gas. I live in California and I’ve never, in my life, had someone else pump gas for me. I’ve always thought that was kind of bizarre.