So all those Google Local UK ads[*] that we've been seeing recently were advertising a product that had now been rebranded? That's really poor planning!!!
[*] http://blogoscoped.com/forum/27474.html |
What the hell. changed again??? |
Make up your mind, google!! |
Wait a moment... it might sound all so confusing but there might just be a valid reason as to why Google has gone with a name change again. I've explained it out in a blog posting here:
http://googlesworld.wordpress.com/2006/04/21/google-local-renamed-back-to-google-maps/
I guess they've done this so that their geo-coding & mapping features could be rightly called as Google Maps, and their Local Business Center, which is an addon facility to Maps, would sound best as Google Local.
Added to this, Google's Local for Mobile (GLM) service now points to the Google's Maps for Mobile (GMM) service page. Looking back at Google's cache for GLM on April 12th, you could see that their tag line image on GLM read as:
"Take the power of Google Local with you on your mobile phone".
This tagline on the GMM page has been changed to:
"Take the power of Google Maps with you on your mobile phone".
also 've read somewhere that google local for mobile was causing probs for some mobile devices, much that google have recommended users to keep google maps but delete google local.
The name change probably has soemthing to do with all of this.
cheers! |
"Now when are they going to take the final step and rename Google Earth (the former Keyhole) to Google Maps Desktop?"
When they turn into Microsoft.
Only Microsoft would name something like that. |
Oh Nathan, then they will go thru that brand name confusions ..live..or MSN or whatever syndrome...MSFT ack's the mistakes.. and now we see Googles going down that pathway too.. This is one of the issue with technology and marketers.. Will Technology workers keep sprinting foward, the markters are two yards behind trying to get thier foot out of their mouths..
Its a corporate thing :)- |
anyways, here's Google's explanation on their blog:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/back-on-map.html
cheers! |
I think this is a good change. Yeah they have messed around with this service's name for a bit. Google Maps and Google Local, then combine to Google Local etc. Briefly a while back I even saw this:
http://static.flickr.com/50/114345564_a5cd773738_m.jpg
Which perhaps indicated they weren't sure how to proceed. But the killer feature is the maps. If you want directions you are looking for a "maps" product. I don't think anyone finishes using Google Maps with the impression "wow, weren't those local listings good?". It is the maps that are the big thing. |
