• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, November 8, 2007

Men who hate asking for directions now have a savior in the form of Google Maps, which will soon be available via interactive displays installed in gas pumps at stations across the country. The Internet connections are appearing courtesy of a deal between Google and gas pump manufacturer Gilbarco Veeder-Root, which says the first wave will bring the service to about 3,500 pumps. A representative for Gilbarco Veeder-Root said about 60% of gas pumps currently in use in the U.S. were manufactured by the company.

Google won't be selling ads alongside the service, at least initially, but the application's local business search capability offers an obvious entrée to ad placement if the terms of the deal change. At launch, users will be able to browse business and service categories via the touch-screen interface--including, for example, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, mechanics, and landmarks. However, these directory entries will be limited to ones provided by the gas station operators, who will presumably collect revenues in return for listing local businesses.

The prototype display made available by Gilbarco shows the location of a business alongside two touch-screen options, which allow the user to print directions and coupons directly at the pump.