Google gas pumps: the savior of lost men

Soon, you will never have to admit that you're lost and suffer the humiliation of asking for directions. Google is expected to announce a partnership today with Gilbarco Veeder-Root, to include Google's mapping service on 3,500 Internet enabled gasoline pumps across the US. The maps will be available on the pump's small screen giving motorists the ability to scroll through local landmarks, hotels, restaurants, and hospitals to the bemusement of the guy waiting behind you. The pump will even print directions. The service is said to be ad-free but will offer coupons -- that sounds a lot like advertising to us. Look for the gPumps to arrive courtesy of that Encore S rig pictured above.

[Benson Posted Nov 7th 2007 7:00PM]

I'd much rather have free 802.11[bg]; I'll use my own device. That puts the connection to much better use, as I can then e.g. fetch email, or better yet download pr0n vids, to view while I am driving!
Seriously, I'd like wireless, both at the pump and at the convenience store. And I'd not be likely to overuse, either; I'm usually on my way somewhere, and while I'd probably get something done while waiting, when that tank's full, I'm done.
(Then again, Google maps is about the last thing I'd be doing, as I can do that with no internet, and moreover got directions _before_ I left!)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 7th 2007 8:01PM]

With these pumps, Google would/could have real time price info for thousands of stations... integrate into google maps and you can quickly find the cheapest gas... Not that it hasn't been done before but this way would cut out the middle man...

On a side note... The "service" may be ad free but I'm willing to bet if you aren't using the thing, ads will be flyin across the screen... They would be stupid not to.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 7th 2007 8:04PM]

Yah know, if the ads are for the gas station, they could serve as discounts on the fuel. "Buy ten gallons, get a free bottle of aspirin."

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 7th 2007 9:15PM]

I work on gas pumps, and this is only going to piss off consumers even more. Why do you ask?
1)Operation of the software. I know we all are tech savy, but next time you are pumping gas, look at who's at the pump. You will understand then.
2)Cost of Gas. It sucks, but it will go up, because each station have to pay for the pumps, and they cost just as much as stock Civic. Plus the screens on the Encore pumps are really expensive, and they would break all the time because people will get mad, and punch the screen. I have seen this happen. Also the keypad? Where would the keypad go?
3)How often do you really get a recipt at the pump? Now think how often would you get a print out of directions?
4)What about the Wait??? How long would it take for someone who isn't even filling up gas, take? While you got to get to work? During rush hour?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 7th 2007 11:35PM]

Wow...I never knew that such things as planning your trip, using a map, or asking "real" people who have been to or know your destination, could be. Humanity will just become more lazy and more dumb...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 8th 2007 12:59PM]

this is a bunch of junk right here- i spent all summer hitting the mute button on the stupid BP pumps that had those little speakers spitting out the "say hey!" theme song... if i want to get directions i'll bring my wife along.