Daily Dispatch: Location-optimized search suggestions from Google; Hallmark launches augmented reality cards

Combing through hundreds of blog posts and news articles daily, Dirk Klingner, our technology-trend watcher, sifts through the noise to bring you the tech news most important to consumers. If you have a tip on a story you want to share, leave a comment below.

Typing a query into the search box on a phone can often be slow and difficult. For this reason, relevant search suggestions that match your intended query can meaningfully reduce the time and effort it takes to submit a search. Today in the US, we are happy to announce an improvement to Google.com search suggestions offered on Android powered devices and iPhone. Now, Google will offer suggestions based on the phone's current or last location, making the suggestions more relevant.

Zagat Releases First Cellphone Carrier Survey Results (Consumerist)

Zagat, the popular consumer feedback-based restaurant review guide, now reviews wireless carriers as well, and they've released rankings on the four national carriers. The company surveyed 2,319 wireless consumers and then created Zagat-style scores in a variety of categories. Here are some of the highlights.

Hallmark brings augmented reality to the masses this Valentine's Day (BizReport)

...But now, mainstream stores will carry a selection of greeting cards laced with augmented reality which simply require a computer, or mobile, equipped with a webcam to view them in their full glory. The cards, produced by Hallmark, a company celebrating its 100th birthday this year, shows the forward-looking nature of a business that has kept up with many changes over the last century.

Microsoft admits Explorer used in Google China hack (BBC)

..."Based upon our investigations, we have determined that Internet Explorer was one of the vectors used in targeted and sophisticated attacks against Google and possibly other corporate networks," said Microsoft's director of security response Mike Reavey in the post.

Glasses-Tattooed-on-Face Vid was Ray-Ban's Doing (AgencySpy)

...In it, a dude gets glasses tattooed on his face, which seems dumb. At the end he puts on a pair of Ray-Bans (but you can barely see the logo), which should have been an obvious cue. It was, we just missed it and now we feel dumber than usual. Oh well, Adverblog wins.

Universities drop Kindle over lack of access for the blind (ComputerWorld)

Three U.S. universities will stop promoting the use of Amazon.com's Kindle DX e-book reader in classrooms after complaints that the device doesn't give blind students equal access to information. Settlements with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Pace University in New York City and Reed College in Portland, Oregon, were announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Droid more valuable than Nexus One or iPhone 3GS according to iSuppli (Engadget)

...According to iSuppli's analysis, Droid brings a $187.75 bill of materials that breaks down into $179.11 worth of components and $8.64 in manufacturing costs.

Lighter Side: 5-Year-Olds Are More Coordinated Than You (BuzzFeed)