Hookupmaps, for convenient lovin’

by Annie Scott on

So, I just went to hookupmaps.com, X’d out of the pop ups, clicked on my area of Manhattan, and to the right is a screenshot of what I found.

Minimal travelin’, maximal lovin’. Hookupmaps has intergrated Craigslist’s Personals section and Google Maps. At last…or something.

The possibilities are endless and totally appalling. I mean…“throat slut for hotel visitor?” Really.

“Where are all the nice women?“
Where are all the nice women? The type who seek a serious relationship? Women that want to be treated with respect? I am looking for a long term, committed relationship. I am not interested in NSA or someone who plays mind games. I am honest, hard working, drama free, fun… searching for an awesome woman. Send me an email and we can see how things go. Worst case is that you meet someone new.
Peace
–36, Male

Dear “Where are all the nice women,”
Not reading the Craigslist personals section. Except this once.
Sincerely, Annie (nice woman)
P.S. Desperation is hot. Call me.

GeoEye-1 satellite takes its first photos for Google

by Scott Carmichael on

The photo you see above, is the first shot taken by the new GeoEye-1 satellite. The image is of the university campus in Kutztown, PA. The reason this is so interesting? GeoEye has sold all the rights of their commercial images taken on this new satellite, to Google.

Google laid down some serious cash to get sole access to these images, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing the results of this contract pretty soon in Google Maps and Earth.

The satellite can photograph objects in a resolution higher than anything available to civilian users, and the photographs will be so clear that you’ll be able to identify objects as small as 41 centimeters across.

I’ve always found satellite image sites to be a fantastic way of seeing the world from above, but as these things get closer and closer, I’m sure we’ll think twice before stepping out on the balcony for some naked sunbathing.

Google Maps Mobile now offers public transit directions

by Scott Carmichael on

Google Maps Mobile has always been a pretty nifty way to get maps and local information on your mobile device. Since its first release, Google has slowly been adding new features, and the newest addition is mobile access to public transit directions.

Public transit networks in 50 cities around the world have provided Google with their route information, which has been incorporated in the search results you see when you ask for directions. These networks cover bus, train, tram, ferry and subway networks. In the US, most major cities are included, like Chicago, New York and San Francisco.

The new version of Google Maps Mobile with transit directions is currently only available for Blackberry and Windows Mobile users. You can get Google Maps Mobile by pointing your mobile browser to mobile.google.com/maps. The application is free, but you will need a data plan on your phone to access the information. The newest version of Google Maps Mobile even supports the Google Street View feature on Blackberry smartphones, as well as on the upcoming T-mobile G1 phone.

Google Maps Mobile has come in quite handy many times, when I need a quick and easy way to find a local business, or if I’m hopelessly lost in a new city, the price is certainly right, so I highly recommend taking it for a spin.

The new T-Mobile G1 phone (and what it means for travelers)

by Scott Carmichael on

The “big” news in the world of gadgets today was of course the announcement of the T-Mobile G1 “Google Phone”. This new smartphone has been widely covered on all the gadget sites (I recommend the coverage from our friends at Engadget) so I’ll take a brief look at what this phone means to people that travel a lot.

  • The first important feature is that it uses 3G data; 3G refers to the third generation of mobile data networks, which essentially means “fast”. This is the first 3G smartphone for T-mobile, and by the launch date of the phone, they should have 3G coverage in almost 25 major metro areas. With 3G data, applications like Google Maps will load much faster. In areas not covered by 3G, the phone will switch back to the slower EDGE system.
  • The phone has Wi-Fi built in. With Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to connect to a hotspot and download your email, or browse the web, without running up a massive data roaming bill when you are abroad. Of course, when Wi-Fi is on (and cellular is off), you won’t be able to make or receive a phone call.
  • The G1 has a manufacturer rating of 402 hours standby time (which translates to a whopping 16 days). Naturally most manufacturers exaggerate a little with their battery life claims, but if the phone even manages half the rated performance, it will be quite impressive. The battery is also user replaceable, which means you’ll be able to pick up a spare battery without having to return the entire phone if the battery becomes defective.
  • T-Mobile has always been very understanding about their international traveling customers, and they have confirmed that they will unlock the phone after 90 days, for customers in good standing. What this means, is that once you have it unlocked, you’ll be able to take the phone abroad, and pop a prepaid sim card in it, greatly reducing your international call costs.
  • The G1 also features a decent quality camera; 3.2 mega pixels, with auto-focus. This is about the quality you’ll want for making basic vacation photos. The phone also has GPS built in, with full integration in Google Maps. It will also be the first phone to combine Google street view maps with a built in digital compass, which means you can point your phone at a building, and actually see the map turn with you.
  • The T-mobile G1 has 3 ways to control the device; using the touch screen, using the built in trackball, or through the slide-out keyboard. I’ve never been a big fan of touchscreen-only devices, so the ability to slide out the keyboard will be great for typing a long email.
  • The operating system is “open” – this means is that anyone who wants to write a program for the G1, will be allowed to do so, without Google or T-mobile being involved in an approval process. In essence, this means that the G1 should see the kind of applications that are being barred from appearing on the iPhone (like VOIP phone programs).Applications are delivered through the Google Android “store”, which makes getting your hands on programs much easier than many other phones.

All in all, a pretty impressive phone, at a nice price point ($179 with a 2 year agreement). I’ve got my order in, and I’ll get you a full review as soon as it arrives (October 22nd).

Google Street View captures a proud moment for one Aussie

by Meg Massie on

Since its launch in May of 2007, Google Street View has been a source of controversy. The Google feature offers web surfers 360° street-level views around hundreds of cities worldwide. Some of the photos, taken by a car-mounted video camera, have captured some personal moments, like people entering adult book stores, leaving strip clubs, picking their noses, and entering buildings with questionable methods.

Critics claim that posting photos of these things on the internet is a privacy violation. But Google’s not breaking any laws. All the photos are taken in public places, and the company has even taken steps to decrease its questionable content, from blurring faces to allowing users to flag photos that may be inappropriate.

The latest Street View gem comes from the new Australian Street View. There, cameras caught a young man passed out drunk on his front lawn. The man claims he’d been drinking all weekend after the death of his best mate. While he knows what he did was dumb, he wasn’t pleased when the photo was posted for the whole world to see. Amid the controversy, Google removed the image from its Street View page.

Remember — just because there’s not a crowd around you, that doesn’t mean you have privacy when you’re out in the open. You may laugh now, but just wait until Google’s cameras come to your town…