I've wanted GIS-camera integration for over a year, but now I've found the perfect marketing strategy to accelerate its adoption. It's an opportunity for Google to introduce its brand even deeper into people's lives, while integrating two of Google's recent acquisitions:
Google will develop a trademark to signify that a Camera :
For my example, I'll coin the term "PhotoLink."
Google would approach various camera makers about including a GIS unit and Google's software with their cameras. I hear that GIS sensors are now only about $10, so Google should be willing to subsidize their cost if the camera maker agrees to include a Google logo on the camera body.
The Logo would serve a similar purpose to the Intel's Centrino brand, which signifies mobility through wifi and longer battery life.
PictureLink would signify the ability to connect a picture to:
And of course with the Google brand, everyone will know that it will be easy to find the photo they're looking for
Customers will take pictures as normal, but when they load the photos onto their computer, Picasa will extract GIS metadata stored in EXIF fields.
In addition to the Timeline, Picasa users will have a Keyhole-like way to Enjoy their Photos:
In the "Share your photos" section, Picasa users will have the option of "Sharing with the Public".
Regardless of their own decision to share, Picasa users will have the option of viewing public pictures from the same or a nearby Location.
Suppose I take pictures of hurricane damage in Florida. I may only get a few good ones, and I wonder if other people are willing to share their photos. With PhotoLink, I am able to see all other PhotoLink-enabled public photos.
Some professionals may want to participate as well. They could have a publicly indexable thumbnail, but charge a fee for a high quality version.
