Google's Big Day

Today, Google (GOOG) pulled off a real hat trick, as the company and its partners announced three major deals that shook up everything from GPS technology to smartphones and cloud computing. What's next, Google, smart-grid tech? Actually, that's not so far-fetched.

Coup No.1: The company announced that as part of its newest Android smartphone operating system, Google will offer a GPS-based service that gives users turn-by-turn directions to navigate your car to its destination. The technology will mirror the service offered by Tom Tom and other devices, except, of course, that it will be free, bundled up in your hand-held Internet device. Obviously, this will eat into the business of Tom Tom and Garmin (GRMN), who have this antiquated notion of charging money for their gizmos. And, in fact, shares of the two rivals immediately fell on news of the new offering, by 20 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively. According to the New York Times, Google plans to offer the service for the iPhone and other devices as well.

Coup No. 2: Verizon (VZ) let analysts and the tech press sneak a peek at its latest smartphone, the Droid, which is the first to operate with Android. According to the Detroit News, Verizon executive Greg Haller left no doubt that the phone would mount a direct challenge to Apple (AAPL) and AT&T (T). After running through all the fancy new options, Haller bragged, "I can tell you the applications all work. They're there. They are not applications that are screened by Google." This was a clear reference to Apple's policy of screening new apps for its iPhone, and was a shot across Apple's bow that no one could miss.

Coup #3: The Los Angeles City Council announced that it was giving Google a $7.5 million contract to run its e-mail, word-processing, and other office software services, giving Google's cloud computing model a serious shot in the arm. It's not the money, obviously; Google has more than enough of that. It's that Microsoft (MSFT), which was also vying for the contract, lost out—and so did its model of offering executive software installed on each machine.

That's three body blows in the space of 24 hours. Clearly, Google's on a roll.