When cellphones become guidebooks

The technology is almost there. Pretty soon, you’ll be able to ditch your guidebook and rely on your cell phone to tell you that “there is a pet-friendly hotel around the corner”. Should you decide you actually miss your guidebook, your cell phone will be there to tell you “Barnes & Noble, two block north of you, is selling their guidebooks at 75% off.”

CBS announced today that it is testing its cellphone advertising capability, which will be customized for a person’s location. They are partnering up with the social networking service Loopt, a service which allows subscribers to track family and friends on their mobile phones.

Can you imagine getting an ad on your cell phone every time you pass Starbucks? Start cultivating your neurosis now!