A cool, new mobile app that helps reinforce that phonebooks are no longer needed! The app is also available for iPad users and an Android app is also in the Android marketplace
Archives for December 7, 2010
Waze Scores $25MM Series B funding
This from the Waze blog as the company has secured $25 million in Series B funding… we’re told that this is a $25MM round led by Blue Run Ventures with all the existing investors re-upping, adding Qualcomm Ventures and other strategic investors. From the blog… we announce we have closed $25m of funding, in a round led by our existing investors, Blue Run Ventures, Magma and Vertex, together with new strategic investors, including Qualcomm Ventures. We would like to thank our existing investors for their support and welcome our new investors, as we look forward to their help in making our service even better. With this fresh funding we are hiring extensively and planning to grow our amazing team on all fronts. First, we will expand our US HQ in Silicon Valley in terms of people and relocate to a larger office.
Waze also mentions that they are on the look for some talent!
Bing Maps Helps Seattle Area Shoppers
Just in time for the busy holiday shopping season, Bing Maps has rolled out mall directory maps that will help users easily navigate shopping malls and retail stores. Mall maps are currently accessible by clicking on the “Mall Map” link within Bing Local results.
Area shopping centers include Bellevue Square Mall, Crossroads Mall, Redmond Town Center, The Shops at the Bravern, Cascade Mall, Everett Mall, Meridian Town Center, North Bend Premium Outlets, and Seattle Premium Outlets. Find more details in today’s Bing blog post.
Clicking on one of the map links above will return a detailed map of the requested mall, revealing a plan of the mall layout. Click on a store to reveal additional information including a direct weblink, phone number, and option to email directions.
Be The First on the Block with a Google Chrome OS Notebook via Pilot Program
No doubt you’ve heard that Google is rolling out their latest cloud computing break-through, this enabled via the Google Chrome OS and the forthcoming Google Chrome notebook. Via the webcast, Google described details of their pilot program which is putting Chrome notebooks in the hands of end users in order to secure some feedback prior to full-out production and roll out, likely mid-2011. There’s been several ways to participate in the program: offers via Google facebook page, commenting on the Google Chrome Youtube page, or by attending the official Chrome launch event where all attendees were provided with a notebook if they want to request one. For developers, if you’re interested in getting your hands on a Chrome OS device, you can also submit a request to participate by visiting google.com/chromenotebook and submit your request and describe why Google should want you to participate.
Some specs of the google Chrome notebook – 3G, fast dual band WiFi, 8 hours of active use time, built in webcam, no CAPS lock keys, no function keys either, no hard disk, jail breaking mode – break into, install another OS etc…
Top 10 Reasons to Ban The Traditional Phone Book
You know the story, you wake up in the morning, go to the front door to hear what that “thud” was that you heard, only to find your nice, new Phone book(s) likely with a separate book of yellow pages as well. Now what do you do with this throwback to the 1980’s?? Perhaps you prop up a computer monitor with it, or you could stack it with those from previous years and use them as a step stool in the shop. I’m sure you have loads of ideas, most of which have nothing to do with searching for a phone number (I used Goog 411 in the past and now there’s many useful local search apps like WHERE, Yelp, Schmap and others).
For those of you who know what I mean, check out this from Ban the Phone Book, a resource devoted to getting rid of the book. The Ban the Phone Book petition has received over 40,000 signatures and the group has compiled a top 10 list of top 10 reasons to pull the plug on white page… enjoy: And be sure to leave a quick comment in the form at the bottom stating an idea for a good use of old phone books…
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