Google Wants to Map Indoors, Too

An anonymous reader writes "Google maps are getting extended indoors next month with a new app called Micello that takes over where conventional navigators leave off — mapping your route inside of buildings, malls, convention centers and other points of interest. You don't get a 'you are here' blinking dot yet — but they do promise to add one next year using WiFi triangulation. At the introduction next month, Micello will only work in California, but they plan to expand to other major US cities during 2010."

Might be a little too far?

[nurb432]

Im all for freedom of information, but are they planning on publishing floor plans of private buildings too? That could be a severe security risk in some cases.

Indoors? Sure...not!

[HikingStick]

Micello or anyone else, I think they'll run into trouble with some management companies for places like malls and large office buildings who will view such maps as security threats. In reality, it could be a real benefit for business (the first time I had to navigate the Minneapolis Skyway system, it took me an extra 30 minutes to find the place I was seeking), but I just don't know that the property managers will see it that way.

Re:This is great!

[Deag]

But you can't do what he described with a phone - finding somewhere close to where you are and giving you turn by turn directions.

How does that work without GPS?

Re:This is great!

[FiveDozenWhales]

Soon, the human race will never again need to have a sense of direction, thanks to our GPS-and-wifi-triangulation-capable overlords!

Right, just like how Plato said in Phaedrus that writing would rid us of our need for a memory.
Or like how radio ended the era of live musical performances.
Or like how cars and elevators have made walking obsolete.

Honestly, technology does change our lives, but it doesn't make such integral parts of them a thing of the past... technophobes just like to squawk that they will.

Re:This is great!

[Shakrai]

You're billed by the call too, so it's pretty darn nice.

How is being billed by the call "pretty darn nice" as opposed to something which has a one time fee and which you own?

Goog 411 can help you find the place

Google 411 can help me find an Italian/Japanese/what-have-you restaurant based on no information besides "I'm on I-81 in Virgina at mile marker 157"?

trusting in your GPS when you don't have cellphone reception can, you know, lead you off a cliff.

Huh?

Nothing beats simply planning your route *BEFORE* you leave.

What if I decide I'm hungry along the way and didn't want to plan my lunch at a precise time?