More Google Maps news: Today Google announced a partnership with budget airline Jet Blue that will put Google maps into the seat backs on their airplanes. Sounds sort of silly (so, I can get driving directions to my destination? … but I’m already flying there!), but I think it’s pretty neat. The announcement also let me practice my favorite pastime: mashing up Google’s logo with that of another company. The results this time were more appetizing than “GooBurner,” in my opinion.
The JetBlue Google Maps will allow fliers to track the progress of their flight — location, altitude, and air speed — while en route. Customers will also be able to track the progress of the JetBlue promotional RV as it travels across the US from their seat back screens (that part is pretty silly).
JetBlue will also be attempting to create an in-plane maps mashup/contest involving all of their customers through out the coming summer. Users will be able snap pictures in flight out plan windows, and then geotag them via Google Maps (sort of — since you can’t submit the photos in flight, but instead have to email them once you land, you’ll have to write down your location when you snap the photo and include it with your email). JetBlue customers will vote on 10 winners in September.
Though this partnership is more fun than anything else, JetBlue manager Brett Muney hinted at future deals with Google. “We look forward to future product developments with Google as we continue to innovate our in-flight entertainment options and other products,” he said. So perhaps more substantive partnerships are on the way between these two companies.
