Yet another post about Google...
via TechCrunch
Open Spot is an an application developed by Google labs created for Android mobile operating systems. It shows you where the nearest parking spot is. It uses your GPS coordinates to see where others have "marked a spot" that they see open. The color of the dot of a marked spot changes depending on how recent it is. The application reaches within a .9 mile radius of where you are.
However, unlike Foursquare where there are badges to be unlocked and possible physical prizes to be one by "checking in," this Google app only uses "Karma Points." So, the only incentive is that by seeing an open spot and marking it on the application, you are suddenly a good person. The author of this article, and I as well, believe that there needs to be a greater force driving ordinary people passing and marking open parking spots-- ie: they should be rewarded somehow. But that's for Google to decide.
I think this is just another example of how social media is growing. If people could use this (like the Open Table application where you can see any restaurant with tables available and how long the wait is if not) social media is becoming more and more about help. Helping others by providing reviews, asking and answering questions, and informing them of conveniences like parking spots. I just don't know how the future is going to evolve from this-- it seems that everything is getting too accessible too quickly. There is some sort of fun in driving around looking for a spot- it's about luck. In a world where all you have to do is whip out your phone and fire up an app to do anything, nothing is going to be about luck any more. It's all information-based. We're relying on strangers to help us out.
Full article here:
http://tcrn.ch/d5Yv55
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1 comment:
An application like this, to me, seems pointless. You would only need help finding a spot in a busy area with little parking. If that were the case, then by the time you checked the application and drove to the spot, it would most likely be gone.
I agree with Julie that everything is getting too accessible too quickly. I babysit frequently in my spare time and it is very interesting to see kids growing up in a world where this is the norm. With DVR and the internet kids no longer need to wait to see their favorite show. I believe that there is a certain degree of patience a person needs to learn to have to build their character and the more instantaneous our world becomes, the harder it will be to teach our children that not everything can always be at their fingertips.
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