Google Develops “Parking Network” For Open Spots & “App Inventor” To Open Up App Development
Jul 12, 2010 at 7:45am ET by Greg Sterling
Google has developed something like an Android social network for parking spots. Called “Open Spot,” it relies on people rather than sensors or other sophisticated technology to locate parking spots that are being vacated.
Open Spot users indicate when they’re leaving a spot. The phone’s location awareness indicates that person’s location on the map and shows that information to other Open Spot users in the area.
Spots remain open for a maximum of 20 minutes. After 20 minutes parking spots expire. Color-coding indicates how long they’ve been open and the probability that they’re still open.
The FAQs explain:
- Red pins are freshly-marked spots.
- Orange pins are spots marked over 5 minutes ago.
- Yellow pins are spots marked over 10 minutes ago.
Users gain (parking) Karma points for their participation.
Google has already developed a name for those who might try to fool the system and frustrate others: “Griefers”:
We call these people ‘griefers’. We’re watching for behavior that looks like a griefer spoofing parking spots. We have a couple of mechanisms available to make sure someone can’t leave a bunch of fake parking spots. If we see this happening we will take steps to fix it.
Available parking “inventory” is created by users as they participate in the network. As more people use the system it will become more valuable and helpful. If it succeeds, you can probably also expect the data eventually to show up elsewhere in Google — Maps for example.
Separately Google also released a tool, “App Inventor,” that makes it possible for people without programming skills to build Android apps through a visual, drag and drop interface. It’s not clear however whether something like Open Spot could come out of that tool.
Save $300 by registering now for Search Marketing Expo - SMX East, New York City, October 4-6. Time is running out! Rates increase September 11.
Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter
See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: Maps & Local, Google: Mobile sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!
Got a comment? Log in, register to comment or become a premium member to have your own custom picture/avatar appear with your comments, plus many other benefits.
TOP STORIES
SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS
FEATURES & ANALYSIS
RECENT COMMENTS
- Offshoreally said " I'm a newbie to this blog and would say its a good one. I really had a good experience going through"
- Offshoreally said " Nice and a interesting blog to read. Thanks for sharing it."
- Offshoreally said " I'm new to the site and would say its a good one. I really had a good experience going through it. T"
FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!
SearchCap is a once-per-day newsletter update:
STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.
SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »
Join us at an upcoming SMX event:
- SMX Stockholm - September 28-29, 2010
- SMX East - October 4-6, 2010
- SMX Melbourne - November 16-17, 2010
- SMX West - March 8-10, 2011
- SMX Munich - April 5-6, 2011
- SMX Sydney - April 14-16, 2010
- SMX Toronto - April 28-29, 2011
- SMX Advanced Seattle - June 7-8, 2011
Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include:
- Links, Link-Building and Public Relations - September 16, 2010
- Managing PPC Campaigns in the UK and Europe: Tips for Success - September 21, 2010
- Whitepaper: Business.com's B2B Social Media Benchmarking Study
- Sphinn to remove voting; thoughts from a power user!
- Sphinn Is Dead: Long Live Anything Else
- Sphinn Says Goodbye To Voting
- Case Study: Google Webmaster Tools for Diagnostics
- 10 Lessons I’ve Learned from My SEO Career
FOLLOW US SOCIALLY
- Wall Street Journal Recommended Reading
- Ad Age Power 150 Blog
- Technorati Top 100 Blog
- Techmeme Leaderboard Source
- Best Search Engine Community/Forum
Get Your Search Engine Land
Premium Membership!
Become a premium member today and receive:
- Express commenting privileges & photo.
- Exclusive videos & newsletters.
- Discounts to our SMX conferences.
- Access to "How To" & Other Archives.
© 2010 Third Door Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Google, Yahoo & Microsoft logos trademark respective companies and used with permission.
