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Google To Help Drivers Avoid Eating Crow. Sort Of

For every guy who's ever gotten lost with a significant other in the car and refused to ask for directions for fear of looking stupid, salvation is at hand. Now you can get them on the sly at the gas pump. If you're driving to McDonald's, that is.

There is something seriously screwy with this new plot hatched by gas pump maker Gilbarco Veeder-Root. It is going to create gas pumps with integrated displays and access to Google Maps. You might think this could allow drivers to find their way to their destination from the gas station, but that's not the case.

In a move that is obviously meant to foster good community relations between the gas station owner and other local businesses, drivers will only be able to access directions to local points of interest. This would include places such as restaurants, hospitals, hotels, or landmarks. The points of interest won't come from Google Maps' database, though. They will be picked by the gas station owner. Chances are, the points of interest won't range more than several miles from said gas station. Does anyone ever really need help to find the Golden Arches? Most of the time they can be spotted from miles away.

Gilbarco did say that other services will be added to the pumps later, including access to point-to-point directions, weather and traffic information. No word on what, if anything, using these services will cost motorists. I think motorists might save a few points in the dignity department...

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