Google, like Chuck Norris, knows where you are. Okay, well maybe not quite, but a patent application filed on Thursday for 'Wireless network-based location approximation' indicates that they may be on their way. The filing suggests they may be close to finding a way to secure wireless user location-data, that goldmine of information typically held so close by carriers, by sniffing location data from wireless packets. The patent filing states that "Such information may identify the location of client devices and provide location-based services to them".

 

I recently wrote a post on location based services and their potential for businesses. However, just imagine what this could do for Google in the mobile advertising market.

 

This patent, plus recent news on Google's acquisition of AdMob, the mobile ad platform for $750 million clearly indicates Google's focus on the mobile advertising space. If Google finds a way to harness wireless user location data as the patent would seem to suggest, this could be a game-changer for the mobile advertising market.