Archive for 2007
Falk.de integrates KlickTel’s online-directory
Users of the travel and mobility portal Falk.de will in future be able to access local search information.
This new feature is made possible through cooperation with the online directory provider KlickTel. As reported by KlickTel, Falk Marco Polo Interactive GmbH has closed a multi-year cooperative deal. As a result, the KlickTel directory (including its search functions) will be available both in search fileds on the Falk.de startpage, and also on town streetmap view.
KlickTel hopes that the collaboration will lead to an expansion of the scope of both undertakings, and through this increase the user hits on the KlickTel site as well.
At the time of writng, it is still unclear as to the launch date of this new service.
TownKings to go
27 Dec. 2007 | Author: AWo |
Nachdem erst kürzlich das Internetportal von TownKings komplett überarbeitet wurde (wir berichteten), ist die lokale Webgemeinde nun auch mobil abrufbar.
Wie die Supreme New Media, der Betreiber von TownKings mitteilte, können die Mitglieder des Online-Netzwerkes nun auch per Handy auf ihre persönlichen Accounts zugreifen und sich dadurch beispielsweise unterwegs anzeigen lassen, welche User in ihrer Nähe sind. Sie können die Profile anderer Mitglieder abrufen und mit ihnen kommunizieren – beispielsweise um sich mit ihnen zu verabreden. Dies spare teure SMS-Kosten und ermögliche die unbegrenzte Eingabe von Zeichen.
Um diesen Dienst nutzen zu können, müssen die Community-Mitglieder allerdings erst einen mobilen Client auf ihr Handy laden. Dazu schickt man den Text “beta townkings” per SMS an die Nummer 0174 – 888 22 88 und bekommt dann den Download-Link zugeschickt.
Derzeit befindet sich der Dienst noch in der Beta-Phase und funktioniert noch nicht auf allen internetfähigen Handys. Welche Geräte unterstützt werden, erfährt man unter www.townkings.mobi. Hier gibt es auch viele weitere nützliche Informationen, etwa zum Download oder den anfallenden Kosten.
DoYouKnowOne? [KennstDuEinen?]
“KennstDuEinen.de” launched at the beginning of December, offering another recommendation platform for local services in Germany.
Here one is able to find, according to the website, the top professionals in the area. In contrast to similar offerings such as Qype, the stated strength of this new Web 2.0 Portal is especially the search for professionals such as doctors, craftsmen/handymen, lawyers and tax-consultants, and their rating.
Another difference is that the users are unable to post their own entries, but rather only comment and rate the search results. These results are generated mainly using local search engine suchen.de, belonging to t-info. “The portal suchen.de has probably the best databank in Germany, when it comes to local service providers”, said Carsten Schmidt, one of the two directors of KennstDuEinen, in a press release. The search results provide the user not only a rating and contact details, but also the location shown on a city plan. A route planner is not provided at the moment.
As to be expected from a new service, there are few ratings to be discovered at this early stage. Those who would like to add their recommendations must be registered users for this portal. By adding comments and notes, the user helps not only other users in making qualified choices, but also can do a good turn through posting a suggestion – for every rating made, one can choose a charitable organization, to which KennstDuEine will donate Euro 2.
Google Maps adds further function
The search engine giant has pepped up its local search options with several new features.
For starters, there is now a topographical view in Google Maps, along side the “map” and “satellite” views. The topographical view (called “Terrain” in English and “Gelände” in German) shows features such as mountains and valleys and other geographical features. As Chris Pennock and Keith Ito explain in the Google LatLong Blog, this newly introduced view is really useful for example, when one plans hikes or cycling tours. This is however only partially accurate – at least for the current Germany views, the resolution provided at present is not sufficiently high to be useful.
The new menu option has replaced the “Hybrid” button, though the Hybrid function is still available, by clicking the ‘”Satellite” button and checking the ‘show labels’ option.
“Wiki-Maps”
Another innovation introduced is to be found under the “My Maps” tab. For quite a while now, registered users have been able to compile their own maps here. New to this is the “Collaborate” option (visible under the list of your customized maps), which allows the user to invite people to collaborate on the maps in question. The ‘people’ can be either invited, or open to anyone.
Mobile Location without GPS
Another innovation – this time in the mobile version of Google Maps – introduces the function “My Location” (which is still at present in Beta-testing). This facilitates mobile phone users without built in GPS receivers to determine their position, thanks to the Google folks. In order to do this, the position of the mobile phone is determined by triangulation with available mobile-phone masts, providing a relatively accurate current position. “My Location” is not as accurate as GPS, but it has its advantages, as Mike Chu tells in the Google Mobile Blog. One can use it for instance within buildings [where GPS cannot see any satellites] and also requires less battery use. To see more about the specifics of this feature, check out this nicely made Video Clip.
GoYellow with snowfields and walking/hiking routes
From Skiing locations through jogging routes: the Internet online directory Go Yellow now lists information for sport enthusiasts.
This information is now available to the user, by accessing the “Karte” tab showing dynamic terrain/aerial view search function. For example, if one wishes to check out the current conditions at a specific winter-tourist location, one selects ‘winter/snow’ [Winter/Schnee] under ‘Points of Interest’ [Interessante Punkte]. GoYellow then reveals skiing locations in Germany by location icons. When one mouses over these icons, one sees further information such as the altitude of the cableway stations, and the snow levels. Actually the latter doesn’t seem to work as promised– snow information is not yet accessible for all regions shown. A webcam view and other related links are also provided for each ski location.
If one prefers to rather cycle or jog, one can click on “Freizeittouren” [‘leisure touring’], which then displays various routes, both in Germany and in other European countries. As GoYellow reports, they provide this service in cooperation with the route portal GPSies.com.
TownKings relaunches
At the end of June this year, the Neighborhood Community TownKings officially opened its gates. Its portal is in the process of being reworked.
TownKing’s agenda is to bring together people from local neighborhoods. The pivot and hook of this Local Web Community is the local map. At a glance, users can see who lives nearby, and through this make contact with their neighbors.
Approximately four months after the initial start-up, there was the first big relaunch of the portal. The network, run by Supreme NewMedia received a brand new design, as well as many new functions. The reason for the updated interface and functionality was the great success of the network.
According to Supreme NewMedia, their members are now able, for example, to publish more information about themselves – including uploading multiple photos or videos, setting up a guestbook, or adding Social Tagging for friends. In addition, the users are now locally connected¬ this way one can discover who the friends of their friends are. And every member can mark their favorite locations, share where one can meet up in the evening, or just let people know what’s (and where it’s) happening. A reworked local search now facilitates person- or location-specific searches, fulfilling various search criteria. In keeping with the feudal slant to this portal, every member now starts with their career description within the community as “serf” (‘Leibeigener’). And though their activities in the community, one can earn so-called “Crowns”, with which one can ultimately elevate oneself to the level of “King” or “Queen”.
Christmas market information
Local search services cannot avoid the pre-Christmas rush.
Using suchen.de as well as Qype, the Internet user can find useful information about numerous Christmas and ‘Christkindl’ markets all over Germany.
So, on Qype, on their company Blog, one can read a listing of 143 Christmas markets, with useful assessments from users.
Suchen.de substantially exceeds the above offering. The local search engine actually reveals 255+ entries under the Category “Weihnachtsmärkte” (‘Christmas Markets’), including not only the respective locations, but also their opening times. And the user can also generate directions to these markets using the Route Planner.
Of course, these winter wonderland events are accessible using both search engines, using their Mobile Search options per cell phone (‘handy’).
BTW: Google Maps is really disappointing if one searches their database for Christmas markets, as a test of ours indicated. It only delivered marginally useful results about very limited locations in Germany.
suchen.de in mobile version
The local search engine suchen.de is now fully accessible using internet ready mobile phones or PDAs – however still in the beta-testing phase.
The management of suchen.de, t-info GmbH, announced the above in a press release. The mobile version of suchen.de is to be found at mobil.suchen.de
For the purposes of researching companies, service providers or products in the vicinity, the usual ‘what/where’ query entry is offered, where one enters a keyword plus the postal code, or town/area name. Similar to the PC-version, searches in the mobile version of suchen.de are also possible using city-area or street names.
With each of the discovered results, the user receives detailed contact details, sometimes including business hours and links to the Internet presence of the services, according to their availability. In addition, one can actually call the specific firm directly, by clicking on the telephone number included (assuming your PDA has a built in phone). For those who would rather visit in person, the standard feature of the route planner is also provided for easy navigation. A map-view on which the location of the firm is depicted, with other similar services, is not a current feature of this version.
The display and usability of the mobile local search, according to t-info, is optimized for all applicable devices, taking into consideration whether operation is achieved using keys, scrollbars or touch screen.
This service is being financed using advertising revenue. t-info informs that adverising appropriate to the search terms or location is displayed accordingly. [/lang_en
Mobile City Guides for PDAs
A new PDA-software product “Pocket 2.0” has been a short while on the market, made by digital directory media manufacturer KlickTel, allowing the user to call up local information on the go.
KlickTel announces that “Pocket 2.0” is a mobile city guide. All functions relevant to a locality search – from telephone directory through classifieds through to route planning – can be directly accessed from the memory card. The service offers a city-plan view, with pedestrian and bicycle routing and a new-style map zoom function, which allows the rotation of the map though 360º. Through this, the map can display according to the direction of movement of the user.
Icons on the maps provide locations of restaurants, filling stations, hotels, tourist attractions and thousands of other points of interest. Further, the user can also view important other information such as opening times and (credit) card acceptance.
The software “Pocket 2.0” for the portable computer is only available as “KlickTel Gold-Paket 2007/2008” on a DVD, costing approximately Euro 30, which includes a telephone directory, a ‘yellow pages’ directory, a route planner and an inverse search function.
Google Maps in Austria and Switzerland
A German version of Google’s local search engine has been online since April 2006. Now Google has launched a localized search service extending the coverage to Austria and Switzerland.
The above was announced in a press-release from the news agency Pressetext. The Swiss local variation of Google Maps is accessed using maps.google.ch and for Austria under the similar URL maps.google.at. This means that localized Swiss and Austrian searches for location-specific firms or service providers are now possible, with the results generated in the respective terrain, hybrid or satellite views offered. In both cases, route planning is also offered.
In an interview with Pressetext, the product manager of Google Maps, Christoph Oehler explained that the new services were not merely translations of those existing. The country-specific services have been customized with the cooperation of local partners.
Similar to that of other Google Maps, country-specific editions, firms and providers in Austria and Switzerland are able to register their undertakings free of charge with Google Maps, and edit their entries, in being able to augment basic location information with opening times, payment modes accepted or photos. Further, as in existing localized versions, Google allows its users to actively participate in content-creation- every registered user can also rate the discovered provider/business and also create user-specific maps.
For those who would like to use these new services, they should bookmark these URLs. Unlike that in Germany, where Google Maps is prominently displayed as a link in the Google Portal, the new services for Austria and Switzerland are not [at time of writing] displayed in either local portals (www.google.at and www.google.ch respectively). In fact, neither versions are yet listed under the “further products” [‘weitere Produkte'] link.
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Fill up on local information
Services provided by Google Maps in the USA will be soon available ‘on the road’, without mobile phone or PDA – namely at the gas-pumps of numerous filling stations.
According to the Google Lat Long Blog, this is the result of cooperation between the search-engine giant and the gas-pump manufacturer Gilbarco Veeder-Root. As detailed by Gilbarco, the consumer will be able to display maps on a small color screen at the gas-pump, enabled to access pre-sorted categories such as local hotels, restaurants, points of interest or medical facilities, calculate driving routes and directions, and also get a printout, similar to the ever-present Rebate Coupons (see our post) found all over the USA.
The Associated Press reports that more than 3,500 gas pumps across the United States are to be outfitted by December (2007), each providing Google’s local search and map services.
For all those en route without roadmaps, GPS/navigation devices or internet-ready mobile phones, needing localized information, or having got lost, this is certainly going to be a very useful service. Local drivers waiting to refill their tanks, however, are unlikely to appreciate the queues expected at the pumps.
Mobile search by iPhone
Timed for the launch of the Apple iPhone in Europe, several providers of local mobile search services have introduced their own versions of iPhone-ready services.
As of November 9, 2007 – more than 4 months after the start of sales in the USA– one can finally acquire the long-awaited iPhone here in Germany [and the United Kingdom.] Taken literally, the iPhone is not only a mobile phone, but also rather a combination of iPod, mobile phone and internet-ready device. One of its special features is the so-called “multi-touch” interface – a touch screen, operated by the user’s finger[s].
Several local [German-language] online-directory providers have already revised their interfaces to cater to the iPhone.
Using YellowMap, the iPhone owner can directly access an iPhone-specific URL iphone.yellowmap.de. According to the company, all of its services, from searching its business listings and white pages, through route planning, to city maps, are available at a finger touch, using the iPhone’s multi-touch interface. Using the integral touch keyboard, the user can enter the required area of interest and/or location (using the postal code), and then start the search function. The results, according to YellowMap are then displayed as an interactive locality map.
GelbeSeiten.de [‘Yellow Pages’] has also released a press statement, detailing the iPhone-optimized service that they are offering, to be called up via the URL: iphone.gelbeseiten.de. Here one can conveniently access all relevant content of the online directories of this service, without losing the iPhone ‘feel’. The design is specially configured for display per iPhone screen, offering a simple user-interface and easily laid-out results pages.
Contrary to YellowMap and GelbeSeiten, iPhone users of the service-provider DasÖrtliche are able to utilize the existing mobile-device-accessible URL: mobil.dasoertliche.de, according to a report on portel.de. All technical requirements and features of the iPhone are accommodated, reflecting the complete Apple usability guidelines for the iPhone. The intuitive use of the screen is thus assured as well as optimal use of the iPhone user interface.
Conference about the power of the search engines
For the second time this year, experts at the latest Euroforum Conference, titled “The Power of the Search Engines” discuss the significance and future of Google, Yahoo and the rest.
Earlier this year, a Euroforum conference on a similar theme was presented in Hamburg (see our post.) This time the venue is Berlin and takes place on December 13 and 14, 2007.
This time, according to a press report of the organizers, Euroforum Deutschland GmbH, discussions will center on the fields covered by the terms “enterprise, local, mobile, social semantic or universal” search, and a discussion on the meaning/significance of these services. Along with an emphasis on these specialized search machines, search as a factor in the success of undertakings, and quality factors in search machines and search machine marketing, as well as media-political and legal aspects will be discussed.
A central theme on the first day of the conference is ‘local search’, as outlined by Dr. Frank Meik (Managing Director of MW Verlag), specializing on the role of local search in the field of regional newspaper publishing. Daniel Tschentscher follows with an analysis of the future role of local search and its integration with Web 2.0 features, among other topics.
Further information about the conference as well as the complete program can be found on the website of Euroforum Deutschland GmbH.
superpages.com expands its Web 2.0 capabilities
The USA-based online-directory superpages.com now empowers its users to participate and interact extensively in their listings.
Superpages.com, a service of the Idearc Media Corporation, is one of the leaders in the online-directory community in the USA. As detailed by Idearc recently, it has expanded its Web 2.0 facilities. Utilizing the new functions, for example, the user can edit a company profile, add or change the products or services offered, or adjust methods of payment accepted. Photos can also be added, and descriptions and notations adjusted. In addition there is the facility, using so-called ‘Business Blogs’, to add appropriate information and comments about respective firms and undertakings in the listings, and to enter into discussions with other superpages.com users.
This appears to be a really unusual step for the classic online-directories in the United States. Greg Sterling, an expert specializing in local search and online directories in the USA, writes in his blog that through this new feature, superpages.com becomes one of the front-runners and early innovators in the online-directory service-provider community. He also expects that the competition will not be far behind this innovation.
Update to Microsoft Live Maps Deutschland
Subsequent to the update and introduction of new features of the US-Edition of Microsoft’s local search in mid October, the German version has recently been updated.
In August, with the introduction of Live Maps, Microsoft released a local search engine for Germany (see our post.) In this specialized German version, Microsoft works in collaboration with the local search engine suchen.de. Suchen.de is responsible for the provision of the address data for companies and services. The current update introduces two features, as Toni Pelg, Business Manager for Microsoft, details in a post in Windows Live Blog.
A so-called ‘mini map’ is now integrated in the zoom function of the map and satellite views. This small additional map can be opened or closed and enlarged by clicking the respective arrows. This is particularly useful with the ‘Bird’s Eye View’ option. Using the mini map, once can drag the window to another location and thereby retain one’s orientation. Here too, once can toggle between the Map View and Hybrid View options.
According to Toni Pelg, it is now possible to send links by e-mail of the Maps or Satellite views, or one can also display the alternatives as permalinks. This function is found under ‘Options’ in the menubar above the map. The aim of this function, says Pelg, is this: “Your friends can be easily and rapidly informed of your next meeting place. Or readers of your blog can easily click on a permalink to get an idea of your last neighborhood where you lived.”
Townster – open for all
Using Townster anyone is able to do a local-search, without ever having to enroll with the community.
Townster combines a Local-Search and Advice portal with social networking. Using this, one can for example, not only discover the location of an interesting bar, a good restaurant or a competent hairdresser, but also find out who in the community goes to these places, and then facilitates meeting people.
This Local Web-Community was launched at the start of July 2007 (see our earlier post). Until now, many of the services and attractions of the website were only available to members. Even a search operation was only for registered users. This serious disadvantage has now been removed.
Now, any user can run search queries and navigate to the numerous zones and attractions on Townster, without being registered. This was announced on the blog of this Web 2.0 site. Registration is only required when someone would personally like to add a location or rate something. Of course, register also if you want to join the Community, and wish to contact other users.
As before, unfortunately the actual search results are relatively sparse. One hopes that through the now-improved general accessibility of the site, the number of users who add entries and contributions will grow accordingly.
11880.com cooperates with “BILDmobil”
Using the tabloid’s mobile-portal, users can request phone numbers and addresses.
The online directory 11880.com, run by Telegate AG, is now directly integrated with the mobile-portal (BILDmobil) of the tabloid newspaper “Bild”, according to a press release. All the services of 11880.com are accessible, including map view and route planning.
To access this, the user enters wap.mobile-bild.de in the browser of an internet-activated mobile phone [/device]. On the start page of BILDmobil, under the link “Kostenlos: Telefonauskunft mobil” [‘Free: mobile telephone information'] one finds headlines, weather information, horoscopes and other services of the online directory. After clicking this link, as on most local search services, you can enter a ‘who? what? or where?’ query, and select your destination from the generated results list.
New Neighborhood-Community launched
The portal ImmobilienScout24 [loosely translated as ‘RealEstateScout24'] recently started up a ‘Local Community’ online.
The new Web-Community is called „meine Nachbarschaft” ["My Neighborhood"]. According to the organizers, this site is intended to provide information to its users and offer discussion facilities on a regional level.
This concept is centered on the Germany-wide, 16000 so-called neighborhoods divided among town areas and communities. The each “neighborhood” can be seen in map form (the visual material is provided by Microsoft Virtual Earth), where “interesting locations” [„Interessante Orte"] are marked. Virtually anything that a resident could need in daily life can be found: from pharmacies to public telephones, bars and churches, through to convenience stores and glass recycling bins. Suppliers and locations are not only found on the map, but also specifically through search or tag-clouds you will.
Registered users are able to add locations. Much data is provided through the online directory “DasÖrtliche” [‘TheLocal'] – such as businesses, local authorities and institutions. According to ImmobilienScout24, as of the launch in mid-October, there were more than three million “interesting locations” awaiting discovery. However, there are numerous communities and city areas, displaying very meager information.
This forum offers an alternative form of interaction – members can make direct contact with each other through their posted “interesting locations”.
By the way, the „meine Nachbarschaft” [‘My Neighborhood'] of ImmobilienScout24 should not be confused with the similarly-named „meineNachbarschaft” [‘myNeighborhood'] of the Hamburg-based market research organization, the Brandon Science Institute, that was launched in June 2007.
Lokale Suche kombiniert
31 Oct. 2007 | Author: ADM |
DeTeMedien hat seine Homepage umgekrempelt und auf das Thema Lokale Suche ausgerichtet.
Die Telekom-Tochter bietet jetzt unter dem Motto „Die große Such-Vielfalt für Deutschland“ eine so genannte Kombi-Suche für alle vier ihrer Auskunftsdienste an. Das sind DasTelefonbuch.de, GelbeSeiten.de, DasÖrtliche.de und suchen.de. Will heißen: Man gibt ein, wen oder was man wo sucht und klickt dann wahlweise auf einen der vier Buttons zu den einzelnen Diensten.
Zusätzlich gibt es ein paar Extras auf der Seite. Website-Betreiber können eine Kombi-Suchbox über alle vier Dienste auf ihrem Internet-Auftritt einbinden. Außerdem werden eine Toolbar sowie ein Gadget angeboten, mit denen sich die Kombi-Suche direkt vom Browser beziehungsweise vom Desktop starten lässt.
Google Maps jetzt mit Nutzer-Profilen
31 Oct. 2007 | Author: AWo |
Google geht einen Schritt weiter in Richtung Social Network. Die User können sich bei dem lokalen Dienst des Suchmaschinenriesen nun ein eigenes Profil einrichten.
Seit einiger Zeit ermöglicht es Google Maps seinen Usern, sich auch aktiv am Inhalt der lokalen Suchmaschine zu beteiligen. So können sie beispielsweise Anbieter beschreiben und beurteilen oder ihre eigenen Karten kreieren und diese der Öffentlichkeit zur Verfügung stellen.
Bislang wusste aber niemand, wer sich hinter diesen Beiträgen jeweils verbarg. Das hat sich nun geändert, wie Jess Lee, Produktmanager bei Google Maps, im Google Lat Long Blog mitteilt. Angemeldete User können jetzt bei Google unter “Mein Profil” etwas mehr über sich selbst verraten – wenn sie möchten.
Die anderen Nutzer können sich die Profilseiten bei einer Suchanfrage mit Klick auf den Namen des Content-Erzeugers ansehen. Dort finden sie dann neben den persönlichen Informationen, so welche eingegeben wurden, auch alle anderen selbst erstellten Karten und Beschreibungen des Users.
