LBS Users: Helpless? Clueless?

TechCrunch’s MG Siegler wants to note how cool the latest Google Android app that finds businesses around you is in this article. He explains why he needs it:

I’m in New York City right now for Internet Week and considering I haven’t been here in eight years, I’m fairly lost most of the time. I’ve gotten by just looking out for big groups of people with iPhones to figure out where I should be going, but when I’m by my lonesome and just looking to get a quick bite to eat, I basically have no idea where to go.

Wow, that’s sad.

BrightKite Blackberry App Goes Open Source

The app was written against the BrightKite API by a third party developer Chris Hallgren. He turned it open source to help make it flashier and better.

- ReadWriteWeb

Most Searched Brands on Where…

Per GigaOm:

“Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, Target, Papa Johns, McDonald’s, Bank of America and Taco Bell.”

My question: how often do people search for a particular brand vs. a generic. That is, how often do people search “pizza” vs. “Papa Johns”? And, what does that say for the mom and pop hyperlocal vendors?

EPA Holds Reverse Auction for Bing Maps for Enterprise (Virtual Earth) Contractor

FCW reports the announcement was made public on a Fed Biz Opps site.

The reverse auction to find a contractor to develop the app/provide the license for two years is already underway; bids close June 11.