Google May Redefine GPS

Yesterday Google (GOOG) announced its plans to offer free mobile GPS, reports the New York Times. The smartphone service, which poses an intimidating challenge to established GPS device makers like Garmin (GRMN) and TomTom, will “offer turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates and the ability to recognize voice commands.” While it will be accessible only through the Motorola (MOT) Droid phone at first, eventually Google would like to make it more widely available. The company also hinted that ads could eventually be incorporated into the service. On that note, the paper says, “That would make driving directions the latest form of information to shift from being a paid service to one that is ad-supported.”

The firms that got the most government assistance are now getting lots of unwanted attention from politicians, according to a front-page Wall Street Journal story. Some member of Congress would argue that the companies that have taken taxpayer funds now need to consider their constituencies when making business decisions. General Motors (MTLQQ) has felt this pressure more than most bailed-out firms since the government has taken on a majority stake in the business. The paper says, “Probably no company has been more on the receiving end of congressional attention than GM, whose widely scattered factories, suppliers and dealership network put it in touch with nearly every U.S. congressional district.” In GM’s case, lawmakers’ requests have included the reversals of a decisions to shut down various dealerships.

International workers hoping to come to the United States though the H-1B visa program may be out of luck, the Wall Street Journal reports. While historically the program has filled up quickly with highly skilled workers who land tech jobs, thanks to fewer employment opportunities this year, it’s “on track to leave thousands of spots unfilled for the first time since 2003.” While the economy has forced many companies to cut back on new hires, there are also political pressures involved. The paper says, “Companies that receive federal bailout funds must prove they have tried to recruit American workers at prevailing wages and that foreigners aren't replacing U.S. citizens.” Many potential immigrants aren’t having trouble finding jobs at home, though, especially in countries like India and China.

The Washington Post reports that the weakened dollar is “setting off alarm bells overseas.” While the sinking value of the dollar has helped to jump-start the U.S. economy, it has had the opposite effect on many foreign competitors. The article explains that the falling dollar “has made everything from American-made cellular phones to furniture suddenly become more competitive both at home and overseas,” while it’s “had just the opposite effect on German washing machines and Japanese cars, making them less price competitive in the world's largest market—the United States.”

Inching away from its traditional retail model, Saks Inc. (SKS) is experimenting with exclusive private sales online, the Wall Street Journal reports. Earlier this week, members of the Saks e-mail list were invited to a 36-hour exclusive online sale. While most big retailers have yet to dive into this market, small private-sale sites, like Gilt.com and RueLaLa.com, have been steadily winning over cost-conscious shoppers who still want high-end goods. The paper says, “The private-sales sites have been one of the few bright spots for sales of designer apparel this year.”

A new Washington D.C.-based local news organization is coming soon from the people who created Politico. The New York Times reports that the venture will employ a 50-person news staff, led by the former editor of washingtonpost.com, Jim Brady. It’s an expensive undertaking, but according to the paper, “Mr. Brady said they had concluded that the venture had to be done on a large scale or not done at all.” If successful, the site could compete with the Washington Post’s local coverage, which has been an area of renewed focus lately.