Archive for April, 2009
Google Maps displays Webcam photos
30 Apr. 2009 | Author: 
How is the weather at the moment in New York, Berlin, Tokyo or Moscow? Google Maps is now offering its users current recordings from around the world, allowing users to expand their perception of the situation at the locations of their choice.
To facilitate this, Google has introduced another layer into its local content. Once activated (similarly to photo, video or Wikipedia layers) using the “More” button, by clicking on “Webcams” the user can then see the locations where webcams are transmitting live-images. The small icons displayed can be clicked and expanded for view.
This service is a result of a cooperation between Google and Webcams.travel. As expounded by the makers of the Webcam Community in their blog, this partnership allows their live-cameras to be integrated with Google Maps. At present there are more than 9,000 webcams available. In an earlier post in that blog, it was stated that the 9,000 cam mark was reached in mid March 2009, and is increasing.
Fullscreen mode with Street View
Another innovation on Google Maps is the full screen mode in Street View. Using this, the viewer can now see the 360º views in their full glory. This is achieved using the square button in the right upper corner of Street View, and can be ended by pressing the Escape Key.
Posted in Local Search per PC, Local Search, News, Local Search Engines, Practical features | 
Tags: Ebene, Google, google maps, Layer, street view, Vollbildmodus, Webcam-Community, Webcam.travel, Webcams | 
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GoYellow fine tunes its map search
The online directory GoYellow has expanded its map search. Thereby especially the route planner has been improved.
This was revealed by GoYellow Media AG in a press release. When planning a route, the user can display POIs (points of interest) along the way, ranging from filling stations and parking garages, cafes, restaurants, hotels or food shops, through to doctors or pharmacies. To activate this display, click on “Kartensuche” [en=map search] and choose “Interessante Punkte” [en=interesting points]. However the map view becomes confusing really quickly if the user selects too many POIs. The sub-category “Sehenswürdigkeiten” [en=attractions] still appears not to work, or perhaps very few of these have been programmed as yet.
The next months with see GoYellow expanding their services in the map search field.
Posted in Local Search per PC, Local Search, News, Practical features |
Tags: GoYellow, GoYellow Media AG, Kartensuche, Routenplaner |
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Google: localized results without specifying location
Normally when making a usual web search using Google, the user enters a category and location. For some time, results have been appearing on Google, including Maps in the search results (see our report). This now functions in many cases without specifying your location.
As discussed by software engineers Jenn Taylor and Jim Muller in the official Google Blog, Google now guesses the location of the user and displays results from the surroundings. To do so, the IP address of the computer is used. For those people wanting results for other cities or locations, the user can click “Ort ändern” [en=change location] on the right hand side above the map view. Results can be even more specific with the entry of a postal code.
Yelp: companies can now answer their critics
The USA ratings portal Yelp, still only represented in English (see our post), plan to offer the possibility for companies to respond to user criticism/comments.
This was recently reported in The New York Times newspaper. Businesses may use this new response feature in order to correct facts, or to report that/how they have been able to correct perceived problems. Advertising or personal attacks will not be possible. Yelp does not intend to monitor these responses once they are published. However if a user regards a business response as inappropriate, they will be able to flag this response for the Yelp-team for their examination.
Until recently, companies were only able to respond to user criticism/comment via e-mail, and in the case of negative ratings, to hope that the direct contact would favorably influence the user’s opinion and their resultant rating of the service offered. The new function, which according to the NYT is to launch imminently, should give more transparency and afford a more public dialogue.
Posted in General, Local Search per PC, Local Search, News, Practical features |
Tags: Beurteilungen, Bewertungsen, Bewertungsplattform, Bewertungsplattformen, Bewertungsportal, Kommentare, lokale Informationen, Stellungnahme, Unternehmen, User Generated Content, User-Bewertungen, web2.0, yelp, Local Search |
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MySpace starts a local search and ratings service
The internet community MySpace will soon add a local search and ratings service to its members. Called “MySpace Local”, it is expected to launch in the near future for the USA market for the meanwhile.
As discussed by MySpace in a press release, the new service is a result of a cooperation with the online service provider Citysearch. This local search and city portal will deliver the address data from small companies within the most important USA metropolitan areas.
Accessible on special city pages (“City Hubs”) within MySpace Local, users can search for local companies, write descriptions and ratings, and augment these with photos, videos and other details. Further, it is possible to bookmark one’s favorite undertakings or to add them to the user’s profile.
The beginning of April saw the start of a closed test-version. The USA version is expected to be opened to all USA users within a few weeks, provisionally with three categories: restaurants, bars and nightlife. This is to be expanded within the coming months to include areas such as medical, dry cleaners, hotels or attractions.
German MySpace users can also expect a similar product within the foreseeable future. Mats Wappmann, spokesperson for MySpace Deutschland, in response to questions from the news agency pressetext, said that MySpace Local is expected to launch in 2009 in Europe. The rating and recommendation of shops and restaurants on MySpace will in the meantime be beefed up with additional functions and be accessible via MySpace Mobile.
The end of Wikia Search
For somewhat over a year the Web 2.0 search engine Wikia Search was launched (see our report). The hoped-for success did not materialize, and the service has been abandoned.
This was announced by Jimi Wales, one of the founders of Wikia Search and Wikipedia, in his blog, where he explained this decision. The community search just didn’t live up to expectations. In other economic times, financing for the project could potentially have been realized, but it was decided to concentrate on other projects such as Wikianswers.
Posted in Web Communities, World Wide Web, General, New Search Machine Interest, News |
Tags: Jimi Wales, Suchmaschine, web2.0, Web2.0-Suchmaschine, Wikia Search, Wikianswers, Wikipedia |
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YellowMap app for the iPhone3G
The online directory YellowMap launched its mobile search iPhone app in November 2007 (see our report). The company has now updated its application for the current iPhone3G model.
This is available for users via the AppStore, free of charge, as outlined in a press release by YellowMap AG.
When running a local search with this service, the geolocation of the user is automatically conveyed to the service provider. Local information is then provided, such as Travel, Shopping, Emergency or Eating & Drinking. Current traffic conditions are also accessible as well as addresses of the nearest cash machines, WiFi hotspots, filling stations (with current pricing) or pharmacies – many of which with detailed information including opening times.
Parallel to the automatic local search, the user can search specifically for other locations, where one has full access to the entire YellowMap.de database online.
Meinestadt.de now has extensive soccer information
Using meinestadt.de, football fans and players can access lots of data around this theme in Germany. The specialty is that the website has not limited itself to the Bundesliga, but also provides details about all smaller clubs and leagues.
This new feature can be found on meinestadt.de by clicking on the new “Fußball” channel under the tab “Freizeit” [en=recreation]. As Alleskalr.com AG, the operators of meinestadt.de, detailed in a press release, the user is able to view current results, game schedules, tables and statistics for the current season for the more than 18,000 football clubs, and the more than 30,000 teams in all football leagues. Direct comparison between competing teams within the same league or other teams within the clubs is also now enabled.
GelbeSeiten.de: moving images now more prominent
The online branch-directory GelbeSeiten.de now allows direct searches for entries with company videos.
Multimedia content is of growing interest for online directory services – with photos and especially videos, companies can present their good and services, and give potential clients a rapid impression of their offerings. Several local search services are now offering the option of pepping up firms’ directory entries with video clips; these include Google Maps, 11880.com and Klicktel.de.
The GelbeSeiten.de has also been offering this functionality for some while. To enable users to find these videos faster, the online directory has included a special search page for this purpose, to be found under the tab “Firmenvideos” [en= Company videos]. As mentioned on their website by Greven’s Adreßbuch-Verlag, one of the many GelbeSeiten publishers in Germany, there are approximately 4,000 videos online, from clients within their catchment area.
dukudu closes down
dukudu, the microblogging platform of Allesklar.com AG (operators of meinestadt.de, among other sites) was recently shut down without much of a stir.
The closure was reported in the deutsche-startups.de blog. According to the report, Allesklar.com told the bloggers that in their view, their Twitter-clone had outlived its potential, and the concern intends to concentrate more on its core competence, that is local search.
In June 2007, Allesklar.com bought dukudu via an eBay auction for approximately Euro 43,000 and went ‘live’ some months later under their auspices (see our report). The notable aspect of the service at its launch was its local flavor. Users could save various places in their profiles, and display their (then) current location via GeoLocator in a map.
Posted in Web Communities, General, Local Search on the go, Local Search per Mobile phone, News |
Tags: allesklar.com AG, Community, dukudu, meinestadt.de, Microblogging, Plattform |
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