Google Internet Bus in God's Own Country

Over the last 10 months, the Google Internet Bus has traveled to 60 towns across 4 states, giving many people their first-ever experience of the Internet. The overwhelming response we receive from the people of each state continues to inspire and encourage our efforts to engage with local communities and build local advocacy for this powerful medium.

We are now in 'God's Own Country'. Over 20 days we'll focus on four themes – education, information, communication and entertainment.

The bus will use interactive content in two languages - English and Malayalam - to highlight how people can use the Internet in their daily lives. What's more, our Google Map maker team will also be joining us to help people map their own cities in Kerala.

Users across India can follow the bus through its journey, see pictures & videos, and join online communities by simply visiting http://www.google.co.in/internetbus.

Posted By: Nishant Nair & Srikanth Belwadi

Internet Bus journey continues in Karnataka

Google India is continuing it's efforts to increase awareness of the benefits of Internet in India. Our goal is to take the Internet "straight to the people", therefore kick-starting adoption.

Along with the recent product launches of driving directions on India Maps, SMS Search, Gmail in Indian Languages, we are directly engaging with the Indian users through the Internet Bus program. After a successful tour in Tamil Nadu, we are launching the program in the South Indian state of Karnataka.

Tamil Nadu was a big learning for us and it was inspiring to see that people wanted to know about the internet and share their needs with us. This experience has reinforced our belief that awareness is a key challenge in the growth of the Internet in India and we are excited about bringing this campaign to yet another state. The bus will travel through 15 towns in the next 50 days.

Inside the bus, we make the learning hands-on. Along with interactive "learning booths", showing custom videos , we have "explore booths" to let visitors try out what they have just learned. The Internet Bus will focus on four themes – information, communication, entertainment and education. The content will provide familiarization on using services like search, email, social networking, online maps and mobile. All this information will be available in English and Kannada.

Users across India will be able to follow the bus through its journey, see pictures and videos and join online communities by simply visiting http://www.google.co.in/internetbus.

Posted by Srikanth Belwadi & Nishant Nair