euroblaze | OXID e-Commerce User Blog

The last days and weeks, there has been lots of coverage about Google+ features like Circles, Sparks and Hangouts, but there wasn’t that much talk about the Google Check-ins. This features shows up in the mobile app and allows you to check in by attaching your location to a status update. The advantage of Google Check-ins is that it tightly integrates with your Circles to share your checkins with only the people you want to see them. This offers a much more nuanced approach to privacy than services like Foursquare or Facebook are able to offer. If you want to try Google+ for your Android, but you cannot find the App in the Market repository, you can search for the APK file in the web and install manually. This shall work without any problems.

The search giant Google has launched a page that enables consumers in Portland, New York City and the San Francisco Bay area to sign up for Google Offers, its version of the daily deal marketing vehicle that will feature discounts of at least 50% off purchases.

The service, which Google notes is in beta testing, will initially roll out in Portland before expanding to New York and the San Francisco Bay area.

“We picked Portland because it’s a city known for its unique local businesses, great restaurants, interesting places and a thriving, active community,” says Google in the Offers’ help page.

Google has not posted when it will begin e-mailing its offers to consumers who sign up for the service. However, the help section says: “We’re working hard to get Google Offers up and running in Portland. Soon you’ll start receiving e-mails with great local offers if you have signed up with Google Offers.”

Google Offers dovetails with Google’s other locally focused initiatives, such as its recent enhancement of its Product Search comparison shopping engine that allows consumers to check whether a product is in stock at local stores. “Offers is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new services that give consumers great deals while helping connect businesses with customers in new ways,” a Google spokeswoman says.