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Google implements local business AdWords to Maps on Android and iOS
Love 'em, ignore 'em or pay a buck to get rid of them, mobile ads are more than just a waste of space, they're almost a necessary evil. To that effect, Google Maps is populating its search results with local -- and hopefully relevant -- AdWords starting today. Let's say you're looking for a taqueria in Bushwick, Brooklyn; if you're running the latest version of the app, an ad for Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos could appear at the bottom of your screen. Tapping it brings up a card with review ratings, a call shortcut and sharing buttons. From what we've seen, it's unobtrusive and actually kind of helpful, unlike some of Mountain View's other advertising experiments. Now, about those tacos...
Google runs newspaper ad for Google ads, universe has yet to implode
Google knows how to tug at your heart strings when promoting its services, but it also has the whole irony thing down pat. Last Thursday, the search giant touted the advantages of its targeted advertising in the Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail, taking out a large spread asking the delightfully smug question you see above. Lest you think Google's pitch for AdWords wasn't in earnest, the ad also appeared on the Globe's website.
Google Shopping to change formats, charge merchants
It's just about closing time for Google Shopping's free merchant listings. The iconic search engine has traditionally shown us products regardless of a commercial relationship with sellers, but they'll be required to fork over some coin if they want to join the party after the fall. Currently called Google Product Listings, the platform's name and format have evolved several times since the Froogle days. Google says the older model can lead to some shady and obsolete info, whereas charging vendors will "encourage them to keep their product information fresh and up to date." New shopping formats are already being tested with a small population of users and include bigger pics and the ability to fine tune the search based on brand or product type. As the song goes, every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.
Google's potential $500M fine linked to illegal online pharmaceuticals
When Google revealed it would take $500 million first-quarter charge ahead of "potential resolution of an investigation" by the United States Department of Justice, the company offered few details. A three-line non-explanation pointed the finger at "advertising by certain advertisers." Now The Wall Street Journal reports that the mysterious half-billion-dollar hit may stem from advertisements placed by "rogue online pharmacies" that break US laws. The DOJ investigation has focused on whether the search behemoth knowingly accepted ads from shady pharma sites, but it's unclear whether those sites sold counterfeit or expired drugs, failed to require doctor's prescriptions, or both. Obviously, if the company profited from illegal activity, it can be held liable -- a fact Google knows all too well after a 2007 settlement over ads for online gambling. The impending fine would rank among the highest paid to the US government; this news, by the way, did not come from Facebook.
Nokia N8 launches September 30, says senior manager
Tapani Kaskinen is Nokia's Senior Comms Manager, so it's fitting that he'd be the first person from the company to communicate a solid release date for its long-awaited N8 handset. The gent in question told Finnish newspaper Kauppalehti that advance orders of the N8 will "begin shipping 30 September." Bear in mind we're chewing through a machine translation here, but that part's pretty unmistakable. It also meshes perfectly with earlier speculation surrounding Nokia purchasing Google AdWords -- that indicated a one-week exclusive starting on September 23rd for Nokia's UK online store, which, if you do the math, again points to a wide release at the end of the month. We asked Nokia about it ourselves and they're remaining mum on the matter, but chances are looking pretty good that October will start with the N8 finally in eager users' hands.
