Oh, sure -- this has certainly been tried before, but given that things like this need a critical mass of followers to be effective, we're particularly jazzed about Google's own initiative. Dubbed 'Open Spot,' this bloody brilliant Android (2.0 and up) application enables motorists to search for unclaimed spaces that have been reported by other Open Spot users, and once they head elsewhere, it allows them to mark their spot as open and available. Once a spot is marked, the color gradually fades from red to yellow the longer it remains unclaimed. We've given it a quick test here on our end, and while it seems snappy enough (and yes, we definitely received a Karma Point for every space we dropped), the obvious omission is the ability to add notes to each marked place. There really should be a way to denote whether a spot is metered, covered by some wacky city permit law or submerged in a foot of water -- here's hoping the next update will enable comments. Hit that source link (or just open up the App Market) to grab it for free, and jump on past the break to see how your fellow city dwellers feel about this marvelous invention.
So... I read about halfway down the comments list and didn't see anybody bring this up, so I will. Sorry if it has already. But in places where hands-free driving is law this is basically useless, cause you would have to park to use it to find a parking space... so it would be kinda moot... for clarification, the law which is different from place to place, usually states electronic devices meaning mp3, gps, and phone, ect. You're allowed one click to answer with a hands-free device and one click to turn off.
This is 5% of the solution. Now what Google needs to do to make a trillion little solar powered sensing "pads" that get glued to every parking space on earth, and connect them all to the cloud. Hell, parking garages would probably PAY to be in the database! A garage would have to power the sensors some other way, but how hard would that be in a building?
I noticed okok...whatever his name is had his post removed. Maybe Engadget finally had enough of his trolling and actually banned that guy. We can only dream.
I think this could be very interesting when connected with parking places monitoring the remaining free places. You could easily give the destination, and ask for the next available parking. Companies running parkhouses would pay for this features.
There is an iPhone app that does this in Brooklyn. I am usually following three cars around looking for a spot so I can't see how this would possible work. I'm waiting for the day that I have to have the argument with the person that says they saw this spot on their phone and I should give it up to them. Ain't gonna happen!
In order to properly scale, it will need to be built into vehicles and let the system reserve slots for people. It will also need to be used by almost everyone in order to function at this level - but once it does we are one step closer to having the cars drive themselves and letting me take a nap on the way...
What's with all the negativity? I applaud Google for this innovation. It might be useful. It might not. Let's see. But good for Google for trying something new. Not every idea pans out. But that doesn't mean that creativity is worthless.
I bet many of you critics said the same thing when Google Maps came out too. "OMG what a waste of Google's resources." And they found a way to monetize it.
At the very minimum little apps like this just help to add value to the Android brand. Like Google Sky Maps for example. Not uber-useful, but entertaining and who here doesn't enjoy it?
As for people not using it. You'd be surprised. There's enough good people out there who would want to share info. Just as the folks who run Trapster.
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posted July 11th 2010 2:02PM
Been done before. Check ispotswap on the iphone....
@aflalo
SIMPSONS DID IT!! SIMPSONS DID IT!!! Things can only be done once eh? Guess Motorola should be the only phone manufacturer. Sorry Apple!
@aflalo
SIMPSONS DID IT!! SIMPSONS DID IT!!! Things can only be done once eh? Guess Motorola should be the only phone manufacturer. Sorry Apple!
@aflalo
SIMPSONS DID IT!! SIMPSONS DID IT!!!
@aflalo
Ipap is another app that does the exact same thing.
And then the iOS is not supported again...crApple you suck...
So... I read about halfway down the comments list and didn't see anybody bring this up, so I will. Sorry if it has already. But in places where hands-free driving is law this is basically useless, cause you would have to park to use it to find a parking space... so it would be kinda moot... for clarification, the law which is different from place to place, usually states electronic devices meaning mp3, gps, and phone, ect. You're allowed one click to answer with a hands-free device and one click to turn off.
Google needs to send the StreetView guys out tagging spots all over...
Google can hire street view cars to find parking spots and then hold them till I get there
This is 5% of the solution. Now what Google needs to do to make a trillion little solar powered sensing "pads" that get glued to every parking space on earth, and connect them all to the cloud. Hell, parking garages would probably PAY to be in the database! A garage would have to power the sensors some other way, but how hard would that be in a building?
I noticed okok...whatever his name is had his post removed. Maybe Engadget finally had enough of his trolling and actually banned that guy. We can only dream.
I think this could be very interesting when connected with parking places monitoring the remaining free places. You could easily give the destination, and ask for the next available parking. Companies running parkhouses would pay for this features.
There is an iPhone app that does this in Brooklyn. I am usually following three cars around looking for a spot so I can't see how this would possible work. I'm waiting for the day that I have to have the argument with the person that says they saw this spot on their phone and I should give it up to them. Ain't gonna happen!
In order to properly scale, it will need to be built into vehicles and let the system reserve slots for people. It will also need to be used by almost everyone in order to function at this level - but once it does we are one step closer to having the cars drive themselves and letting me take a nap on the way...
What's with all the negativity? I applaud Google for this innovation. It might be useful. It might not. Let's see. But good for Google for trying something new. Not every idea pans out. But that doesn't mean that creativity is worthless.
I bet many of you critics said the same thing when Google Maps came out too. "OMG what a waste of Google's resources." And they found a way to monetize it.
At the very minimum little apps like this just help to add value to the Android brand. Like Google Sky Maps for example. Not uber-useful, but entertaining and who here doesn't enjoy it?
As for people not using it. You'd be surprised. There's enough good people out there who would want to share info. Just as the folks who run Trapster.
This is one of the best ideas of this year! And it could really work!