Aaron Weiche

Google announced their new Favorite Places on Google feature today mixing Google maps, window decals and mobile phones to benefit consumers.

In a nutshell, over 100,000 businesses (to start) are receiving decals for their business window/storefront that include a bar code.  When scanned with your phone (includes iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and more) you get the business listing on your device to see reviews or coupon offers from their LBC listing.

 
This feature makes it a quick connect for a consumer to learn more on a business or easily grab a coupon/offer.  It also gives any business one more reason to make sure they are listed in the Google Local Business Center.  Run a check of your local listings here: http://www.getlisted.org

I like what I see of this new local feature:

1. Its about making it easier to grab more info on a business

2. The mix of web, mobile and brick-n-mortar

3. Easy access to special offers/coupons

The only thing I don't like is the limited number getting the invites, but my hope is that after ironing it out with the first 100,000k you would be able to request a decal and bar code from the feature.

I'll be on the lookout for the first decal I run into in the Twin Cities.

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Aggregation, crowdsourcing, RSS readers, feeds, apps ... the list goes on of how the Internet can allow for success in being the location where information is pulled together.

Now it's being tried with local news as former / longtime KARE 11 anchor Rick Kupchella (@kupchella) has launched Bring Me The News (Bring.MN). The website focuses primarily as a gathering point for Minnesota news from other sources, filtered by a handful of experienced news professionals.  Bring.MN will be reporting themselves, but just roughly 10% of content will be from them.

In a nutshell, I really like it.  I think it can bring light to many other sources for great information.  Local blogs, hyperlocal blogs, small town newspapers and more can have a bigger platform if all goes well. Could even Twitter or Facebook be part of the landscape someday?

On a web design note, I like the interface, but feel that the stories are far to subtle in their layout and callouts. I think the minimal use of a header and the lack of banner ads is fabulous though as well as the listing of the story source right upfront.  Will it be good or bad for users that they are not a typical news layout with the web design?

I'll be paying attention to Bring.MN simply for the fact I love the idea, now let's see if it can bring more than news ... a profit.

Visit the website:  http://bring.mn

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