Wednesday, November 28, 2007 -- 2:23 p.m. -- at my desk

Google unveiled a new feature on its mobile maps service today called My Location, which, according to Google, lets you ee your location on the map, with or without GPS. Save time and tedious keystrokes finding where you are, what's around you, and how to get there.

Now before you get overly excited, this feature is NOT YET available on the iPhone, however, I think it's definitely going to. Remember that the iPhones Google Maps application is a joint effort in programming between Google and Apple and could at least satisfy critics who have complained about a lack of GPS feature on the iPhone.

What you need to know right off the bat is that if your phone doesn't have GPS, My Location won't give it to you ... it will give you something like it based on where you are according to the nearest cell phone tower.

Here's a little more from Google to explain what I mean:

If you have a GPS-enabled device, this blue dot corresponds to your GPS location. At times, or if you do not have a GPS-enabled phone, you might see the blue dot surrounded by a light blue circle (as shown on the right) to indicate uncertainty about your location.

Why the uncertainty? The My Location feature takes information broadcast from mobile towers near you to approximate your current location on the map - it's not GPS, but it comes pretty close (approximately 1000m close, on average). We're still in beta, but we're excited to launch this feature and are constantly working to improve our coverage and accuracy.

Again, not yet on the iPhone, but available on most web-enabled mobile phones, including Java, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Nokia/Symbian devices. It could be added to the iPhone with a simple software upgrade and I fully expect that to happen soon.

In the meantime, I recommend you go here on your desktop or laptop to watch a fun video about how it works. I say desktop or laptop because it's a YouTube video that won't play on the iPhone.

Let me know what you think. I'm excited about this. I think it's a great compromise where GPS isn't available utilizing information from the cell towers.

Thanks for calling.

Big deal. What if I walk down a street and see a sign/advertisment for a free pizza at Little Caesars. Can I click on the logo to find the nearest location relative to my position on a map? That is what I want. Will Little Caesar’s offer a $1 off when the logo is clicked and I show them the redemption coupon on my mobile when I pay? What if I say the keyword Pizza in my mobile browser will it take me to all of the locations relative to my position on a map? Right now, pretty useless if you ask me.

I think Google’s developers need to think a little better.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I am with you, my friend. That's what I have been suggesting for a long time -- you walk by a restaurant and a coupon pops up. Some people don't like being tracked that way - - they feel they are being watched -- me, I don't care. I like the convenience. But think about it this way, if they can do this, then yes, what you describe is a very doable and logical next step.

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SCOTT'S REPLY: Darn. I only accept secured personal loans. Had you left an e-mail, I might have taken you up on this obviously fantastic offer.

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