Google Buys Dodgeball - Possible future services and concerns
(Page 4 of 4 )
One obvious combination of Dodgeball’s service with Google’s offerings would send a map or directions along with the alerts about friends’ locations. This could also be helpful when trying to arrange an impromptu gathering, whether it’s a trip to the movies or a dinner get-together. Or how about this scenario? You’re eating at a new restaurant, and you want to invite a specific friend to join you. Dodgeball sends the invite to your friend, and includes a discount coupon for the restaurant that both of you can use that very evening.
Google has some mobile services in its Google Labs section that might combine in interesting ways with Dodgeball’s service, especially if a social networking service such as orkut is also involved. For instance, one beta service, dubbed Froogle Wireless, lets users search for products from their cell phone. The service’s description gives the example of shopping for a digital camera. If you’re in the electronics store and do a Froogle search on the camera you’re thinking about buying, you may be able to find it for a lower price.
Now let’s imagine this scenario with orkut and Dodgeball services added. You’re shopping for a digital camera at the local mall, and you perform a search on the model you’re considering. It slipped your mind that your friend Bob is into digital photography –- but because he added this information to his user profile, Google knows. After you perform the search, you get a text alert that says something along the lines of “It looks like you’re shopping for a digital camera. Your friend Bob is into digital photography. Would you like to ask his advice?” If you click yes, you are connected with Bob, who may be able to tell you anything from what to look for in a digital camera to whether the one you’re considering is really worth the price.
While this kind of networking and connectedness can be a blessing at some times, it can also be a curse. Dodgeball already offers certain features that mitigate this issue –- for example, you can turn the messaging feature “off” when you’re no longer out on the town, or when you’re traveling. You can also “manage” certain people so that they don’t see your text messages, and you don’t see theirs. It seems likely that Crowley and Rainert will continue to fine tune this part of the service, and make it easier to manage.
I can think of at least two possible concerns about this purchase. One is that it could potentially be used for stalking people, especially with the expanded capabilities available from Google (such as maps). However, as mentioned above, Dodgeball itself has taken steps to try to prevent this from happening. Remember, too, that with Dodgeball’s service, no one knows where you are unless you check in –- and even then, you can fine tune who knows where you are to a certain degree.
The other issue involves the addition of advertising. While the service does not include advertising yet, if it is ever added, it needs to be done in a way that is not annoying or intrusive. Dodgeball already experimented with advertising of a sort at least once. In June 2004, vodka maker Absolut used the Dodgeball service to send this message to subscribers: “What a gorgeous day! Reply with @venuename telling us where u are. Dodgeball & Absolut will send the closest outdoor patio.” Users who followed up on the message were told the location of the closest place where they could enjoy drinks outdoors.
To me, the most interesting aspect of this deal is that Google is finding more and more ways to make itself a part of its users’ lives –- almost a companion. From helping users find particular information to helping them find friends or a good time, Google has managed to stretch the idea of “searching everything” a very long way indeed.
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
