Google WiFi

This article from Business 2.0 speculates that Google may be getting ready to launch GoogleNet, a nationwide WiFi service. This would be really, realy, big. Plus, the article is pretty convincing too.

It would obviously cost a ton of money to bring about nationwide WiFi coverage, but just think of how lucrative such a venture would be. Even if Google charged for such a service, I would definitely pay for it because of how cool it is.

AND, considering the recent emergence of Google Talk and the popularity of Skype (an awesome VoIP telephony service), imagine how hard celluar and land-line telecom companies could get hurt. If there really existed a nationwide WiFi service, that means I could throw away my cell phone and just walk around calling people for FREE with a VoIP compatible portable phone connected to GoogleNet. Seriously, the future of telecom lies in VoIP and WiFi. I wouldn't be surprised if VoIP mobile phones became the norm in 10 years.

The article also mentions that Google would be able to track GoogleNet users by their location. This adds a new dimension to ad-targeting. For instance, if I'm walking around Berkeley and I get hungry, I can just call up Google on my VoIP phone (Google has a beta voice search program in development) and ask for food places, and Google would be able to couple my geographical location with my search query to send me advertisements from nearby restuarants.

Just think how much advertisers would pay Google for such precise ad-targeting.

I'm amazed that Google continues to innovate and grow so rapidly. In a few months, the $280 pricetag on Google stock is probably going to look dirt cheap.