Another reason to get on the map!

Is your business on the map? Millions of people look for businesses on Google Maps every day, and an increasing number of users are turning to their mobile devices to make real time location-based decisions. Last week, the Google Maps team launched a server-side change that makes it easier to get directions to businesses. A user can now get directions to restaurants, stores, and other points of interest by entering their names in the start or end point.

Google's Cities in 3D Program

Google's Cities in 3D Program invites local governments, community groups and educational institutions to take ownership of the 3D representation of their community on Google Earth. In a video tour of "Cities in 3D" and case studies of successful 3D modeling projects, this video makes the case for producing and sharing 3D models as a tool for planning and economic development, for fostering tourism or merely to simplify navigation.

Its here.... Apple stuns crowd with multi-function iPhone device

Apple on Tuesday made a bid to change the world once again with the introduction of iPhone, a revolutionary mobile phone that also combines a widescreen touch-control iPod and breakthrough Internet communications device. AI: Apple stuns crowd with multi-function iPhone device

An Army of Davids: How Markets and Technology Empower Ordinary People to Beat Big Media, Big Government, and Other Goliaths

Author: Glenn Reynolds

Glen Reynolds’, most recent book, is one of the most optimistic books I have come across in a long time. The book gives a big-picture view of how technology is making the little guy matter a lot more than he has in a long time.

Reynolds’ optimism is infecting. Any aspiring blogger, entrepreneur, or anyone starting out on their own, especially in the content-creation and online publishing areas, will be greatly inspired by this book.

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

What author Guy Kawasaki says:

This book is a weapon of mass construction. My goal was to provide the definitive guide for anyone starting anything. It builds upon my experience as an evangelist, entrepreneur, and most recently, as a venture capitalist who found, fixed, and funded startups.

The book is as relevant for two guys in a garage starting the next Google as social activists trying to save the world. GIST: cuts through the theoretical crap, theories and gets down to the real-world tactics of pitching, positioning, branding, recruiting, bootstrapping, and rainmaking.

Why Most Things Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics

Author: Paul Ormerod

Failure is a part of life, both in business and science, which is very much ignored in the business world, actually causing more failure. The book examines failure from three different aspects.

1. a documentation of failure
2. the subtle patterns found in the apparent disorder of failure
3. the causes of failure

According to the author, understanding failure is more likely to lead to success than understanding success. Below is an excerpt that seems to sum up the author’s stance on failure.

"I am often asked by would-be entrepreneurs seeking escape from life within huge corporate structures, “How do I build a small firm for myself?” The answer seems obvious: “Buy a very large one and just wait.”

Get Back in the Box: Innovation from the Inside Out

Author: Douglas Rushkoff

The first line of Get Back in the Box pretty much sums up the book. “There is no Next Big Thing. In fact, the more things seem to change, the better opportunity you have to stay the same.”

Rushkoff, who is a writer of ten-or-so bestsellers, explains throughout this book that the best way to innovate is to focus on your core competencies, create an innovation conducive work environment, and focus on your customers needs. Pretty straight-forward, but very insightful into the way to do this and full of all sorts of examples. Th interview by Kris Krug in the review snippets is great as well.