All stories about "Google"

Turns out Google's Mountain View campus has so many gourmet (and free) cafes that it has its own in house food critic. A piece in the LA Times yesterday profiles Thunder Parley, a "software developer and culinary enthusiast evangelist" who makes his rounds at the company's dining operations three times a day and then recommends dishes through internal emails. He's become so well known that Google chefs say they are "blessed" when Thunder's in the building. [via]

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Is there anything Google can't do? Yesterday they announced a new flight tracking feature which will deliver all available info on your flight when you search the airline name and flight number. Sure, It's not life changing (like Google Maps) but it's a pretty sweet addition for the traveling nightmares that lie ahead. [via]

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The maposphere is abuzz this morning with the launch of My Maps, the Google Maps customizer that answers similar services like Wayfaring and Platial, not to mention Windows Live Local. Users can create map points complete with text, images, and video, not to mention draw routes, lines, and other shapes on the maps. Sharing within Google Maps and via KML is also supported. For a few early examples, see this oral history of Route 66 or a map of fields for the cricket World Cup.

My Maps [Google]

-- Chris Mohney

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The womb of Seattle's art scene, the Mcleod Residence has also spawned that city's first stab at Gakwer-inspired celebrity stalking/mapping with Seattle Notables. Since Cobain's death, this might seem like an oxymoron but indeed Seattle is home to "celebrities" and they, in general, hang out in some pretty cool places, which is where the map should interest you. For instance, a guy named Stone Gossard hangs out at a super cool cafe called the Hi Spot Cafe while another luminary, this one named Slats who looks like Slash and Joey Ramone frapped together, likes to spend his days and nights Bus Stop bar, a divey but legendary bar. And, Gawker take note, Seattle Notables even has coasters of the most notable notables, including, happily, Slats.

Seattle Notables
Hi Spot Cafe
Bus Stop bar

[Photo: ElMendez/Flickr]
Previously: ORgasm in Victoria, Pulled Out in Seattle, In Vino Volo Veritas, I Am Sam But Not Mentally Retarded and More Sculptural

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Google maps, coffee shops, yadda yadda yadda. Cup of New York isn't breaking new ground but, just in case you want to know where to find coffeeshops rated on a excessive grid of criteria, including tea selection and wifi, the site and its Google Map API, is a usefull tool, kind of like the iPod nano forearm band modeled brilliantly above.

Cup of New York

[Photo: Powerbooktrance/Flickr]

Previously: Gnudi Bars and Tapas Joints, Any Artsiness at Hotel Chelsea Just Flatlined, Kitten v. Cat Restaurants, These Guys Are All Wright