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.