Google Hotpot Unleashed World Wide

Google is bringing Hotpot, it's new recommendation service, to the world after a limited release back in November. Hotpot basically allows you to rate restaurants, cafes, hotels and the like so that when you or your friends are searching for such venues Google can provide "trusted" results. The Google special sauce is based on your likes, your friends likes or properties that are similar to those that you or your trusty friends like. Access to the service is made available via the web (google.com/hotpot), google maps (maps.google.com), or your android phone.

Keep an eye out for those Unicorns!

Google's Location Based Vision

Here is a TechCrunch interview with Google's Vic Gundotra regarding Google's I/O Conference announcements and Apple vs. Google... interesting!

Dell To Offer GPS Option For Netbooks

Dell is going to start offering a GPS and Wi-Fi card called the Wireless 700, for about $70, with the purchase of it's Dell Mini 10 Netbook. The card will make the Netbook a personal navigation device the likes of TomTom or Garmin. “Smartphones already have GPS capabilities,” says Alan Sicher, senior wireless product manager at Dell. “We are now bringning it to netbooks so the devices know where you are and can help you where you want to go.” The move will make the little laptops location aware devices and will compete with gps enabled cellphones for consumer dollars. Check out Wired for more details.

Google Latitude - Share Your Location Or Not

Google has unveiled a new Google Maps feature, for your mobile phone, called Latitude. When you opt in to Latitude you can share your current location with those who might care about your whereabouts.

"Latitude is a new feature for Google Maps on your mobile device. It's also an iGoogle gadget on your computer. Once you've opted in to Latitude, you can see the approximate location of your friends and loved ones who have decided to share their location with you... And with Latitude, not only can you see your friends' locations on a map, but you can also be in touch directly via SMS, Google Talk, Gmail, or by updating your status message; you can even upload a new profile photo on the fly."

The nice thing about Latitude is that Google lets you be in control of what everyone sees, with differing degrees of accuracy, and they even allow you to hide if you choose.

Source: Official Google Blog

Google Mobile App - Voice Search On The iPhone

Google has added voice search to the Google Mobile App for the iPhone. With the app running a user simply has to put the phone to their ear, wait for the beeb, and speak their search query. Taking things a step further Gummi Hafsteinsson, Product Manager says on the Official Google Blog "When you do local searches, Google Mobile App can now automatically use your location to make results more relevant to where you are."

Now if only Google could read your mind and provide you with the search results... on second thought, no!