Use Google Mobile To Rate Stuff In Your Neighborhood

I caught an update on Google's Official Mobile Blog a few days ago about how easy it is to review restaurants and other services in your neighborhood right on your phone. I ate at my favorite local diner yesterday and wrote a review on the spot. It was posted to the Internet in moments. Nifty.There's nothing like writing a review of something while the experience is fresh and vivid in your mind. What's even better is writing a review while the experience is still occurring (note that that might be rude, however).

Anyway, using Google's mobile tools makes for easy review-writing. Here are the steps:

* Go to www.google.com on your mobile browser * Search for the business by name and location like "diners nj" * Click on the business name on the results page to view details * Scroll down and click on "Sign in to write/edit your review

It really is that easy. I decided to test it out from the local diner last night. Sure enough, the diner was listed, complete with other user reviews. It was fun writing a review of the food and service while sitting at the table.

According to Google, "this new mobile feature uses the same database found on Google Maps on the desktop, so when you rate and review a business from your phone, your opinions are also published to the millions of Google Maps users around the world. You can even click on the My Profile link in Maps to see all of the businesses you've reviewed."

There's nothing like sharing your experiences with others, especially when it may be your friends and neighbors reading about your experiences.

Right now the mobile reviewing service works with most phones other than the iPhone. Google already is working on a version for the iPhone.