Google introduced two new ad formats that are an extension of two regular (computer) ad types to smartphones: Product Extension Ads and Product Local Ads.
The new ad extensions give marketers a way to include product images and other related data within ads displayed to mobile devices. One example of such an extension is inventory. If enabled, a user searching on a smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc) would be shown regional, inventory information for a product they are searching for. This new Google ad format, Product Extension Ads, are intended to drive eCommerce from mobile devices. Their counterpart, Product Local Ads, are intended to effectively do the opposite, drive foot traffic into local stores--by using the smartphone's GPS feature to put purchasing into a regional context.



A new website was released by the The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission to show broadband connectivity across the US. Surprisingly, the web map documents how much of the US is not broadband connected. The map was constructed from approximately 25 million documents that outline connection data across the country.