Posts Tagged ‘Relaunch’
All-round changes at Qype
10 Mar. 2009 | Author: 
The makers of Qype have redesigned their local search and ratings platform. The completely revamped version went online at the end of February 2009.
First impressions of the ‘new’ Qype center on the visual changes on the site. Instead of the familiar olive and orange color scheme, the page is predominantly in bright red, blue and grey. Further there is a new logo and slogan. As explained by Community Manager Stephan ‘Moe’ Mosel in a blog post, the new slogan “Entdecken, Empfehlen” [en=Discover, recommend] (previously “Das Beste der Stadt” [en=The best of the city]) should bring home the goal of the site in just two words. The new logo, in handwriting style, is seen to represent the community aspect.
Along with the purely aesthetic changes, the website displays a completely reworked structure and several new functions. For example the central tab menu (formerly places, Guides, Groups, etc.) has disappeared. In its place, the horizontal navigation bar now displays special categories such as “Eating and Drinking”, “Shopping”, or “Nightlife”. As a result, the Search function now has become more prominent. The new trick is that users can now self configure this navigation bar: under “Alles” [en=all] you can find many categories to choose from. The links to Guides, Groups and People are now found to the right, below this nav bar, in the new module “Mein Verlauf” [en=my progress]. This keeps the user-specific activities clearly separated from the rest of the page.
Further, in another press release, Qype has also concentrated more on the regional aspects of its offering. In the new version, search requests are now possible for specific city parts. This is not fully implemented, at least when we ran our own tests, which were not altogether satisfying.
Google peps up “Street View”
Google has delivered some new improvements to its Google Maps feature “Street View”, moving it more firmly into the center of its local search function. Alongside a new navigation system, some new features have been added to their street views.
Google-associates Stephane Lafon and Andy Szybalski outlined this in Google Lat Long blog. The update now places the yellow Street View so-called “Pegmen” prominently over the Zoom slider to the left of the map view, thus being always ready for use. If one wants 360º views of a location, one drags the Pegman to the desired location on the map. Even more impressive is the possibility to zoom right into a location (assuming one is viewing a city where Street Views are available). One then discovers a street facade that one previously viewed from above. In such a situation, Street View functions as the final enlargement possibility.
Which locations actually offer 360º views? These are no longer assigned camera icons. One can identify them only by moving the Pegman over the map – when one passes over a location with a 360º view, the Pegman changes color from yellow to blue. When the Pegman hovers over such a zone, a small preview pop-up window appears. If the user then releases the mouse at this location on the map, the Street View appears. These are often as large as the whole map.
So that one doesn’t lose the overview, a mini-map is visible in the right hand lower corner of the Street View. This shows the location of the place being viewed. Using this mini map, one can also change the location of the Pegman. With a click on the arrow at the left, one can enlarge (or reduce) the map view.
The new navigation features are also practical in the Street View. Using the navigation wheel or the arrow buttons at the upper left, one can turn the views and with clicks on the “+” or “-” buttons one can enlarge or reduce.
suchen.de now with new look
More modern and functional: the local search engine suchen.de has reinvented itself with a new look and features.
In a press release, the operators (t-info GmbH) explain that users have been given an optimal mix of function and flexibility.
Through the relaunch, map search now stands even more central than before. Whereas previously it was only accessed via its own tab, it is now directly integrated into local search. Users can for instance, access found results after a desired search as text-based or viewed on the map. Swapping between text and map versions is also possible, without having to restart a search. This is achieved simply via a click of either icon in the new grey navigation bar over the search results.
The navbar also serves as a sort of central service element. Here all the components for use of the search results and map display are accessible, thus offering a new overview. One can find links to the various display modes (map, hybrid, birds eye) as well as the dropdown menu “Interesting Points”, which accesses display of significant places on the map. Additionally one can tweak the search results using “Refine Search” and “Sort Results” features.
Furthermore, the results list has been pepped up with new icons, which serve to optimize the display, according to t-info. One can now see at a glance for example, whether opening times info is available, or if a service provider can be called for free. Unfortunately there is no longer the possibility to print out all or individual search results, however this will be rectified shortly. As Ben Broshi of t-info informed Lokale Suche Blog, the innovations are actually only the first stage of a relaunch. Several new features, such as an improved print function, are to be added shortly.
pointoo finally leaves its pilot phase behind
Pointoo officially was launched in July 2006, and at the end of May 2007, the portal finally ended its beta-status. Since its recent relaunch the local search engine, operated by the publishing group Georg von Holtzbrinck, now offers more content, new functionality and an improved user interface.
The operators, in a press release, announced this a short time ago.
Differing from other localized search and ratings platforms like Qype, Dialo.de and others, pointoo is foremost a ‘location bookmark service’. Users are able to undertake location-based searches for places such as restaurants, museums, shopping facilities, doctors or service providers, etc. and, if logged in as members of pointoo, save interesting found locations in their own personal locations collection. pointoo has however, some similarities with the aforementioned ‘competitors’- it allows its users to add comments and publish them linked to their saved locations. And for users who cannot find their beloved/preferred local hangout or bakers via the search option, pointoo also allows users to add these locations to the portal. The latest update also enables users to add detail (such as opening times) or photos to existing search results.
Another new feature, is that content is now also provided by other ratings platforms, as well as by the operators and user contribution. According to the operators, the platform is now working with well-known partners, for example: Helpster.de (in the medical ratings sphere) or Autoplenum.de (for the motor zone). Negotiations continue to include further cooperative partners. Found results are now compatible with many navigation devices, allowing for quick and easy transfer to these devices.
pointoo is however, not only a search and bookmarking platform – since its relaunch it now displays even more of a community character. The exchange of contact information among users now facilitates an adjunct to the pure information provided by the site, building a people network, consisting of like-minded or interested users. So when users interested in, for instance, motor cross routes (perhaps a few hundred people in Germany, in an example cited by the operators), thanks to the new functionality of pointoo, they will be enabled to find and connect with each other.
Posted in Web Communities, Local Search per PC, Local Search, News, Practical features | 
Tags: Beurteilung, Bewertungsplattform, Bewertungsportal, Community, Georg von Holtzbrinck, location bookmark service, Locations, lokale Informationen, Navigation, Navigationsgerät, Nutzerbewertung, pointoo, Relaunch, User Generated Content, web2.0 | 
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Phone directory “DasTelefonbuch” gets a new look
The telephone online directory DasTelefonbuch has pepped up its web presence and can be found sporting some new features and an updated interface.
Relaunched in March, above all the design of the portal has been changed. On the start page, the search fields take a stronger central focus than before. Links that were previously more prominent, such as Area Codes and Postal Code Finder, as well as Themes such as Emergency numbers, are now to be found somewhat smaller, placed under the entry field.
Also new: on searching, the user already receives a preview of all available content, in the generated results list. Using this new feature, it is possible at a glance, to scan available additional information (e.g. e-mail or URL) using the detail preview, in addition to the standard details like phone number and address.
This detail view, accessed by clicking the name or the “All Information” link, serves to make the site much more user-friendly and accessible. Previously one was already able to print, e-mail, fax or sms a selected entry, but this functionality was not clear and was easily overseen. This has now been remedied. The new ‘look’, using attractive and easily recognizable icons, placed on a dark grey background, now displays these former practical features under the “Use Contact” section, where one can also find a map-view and a route planner.
A press release also lists other features offered by the website, including the uploading of business adverts, photos or videos, and additional information about products, services or hours of operation.
Spring fever at ‘Lokalisten’
As recently as the start of December, the ‘Lokalisten’ were on the receiving end of several new features (see our post). And now there has been a ‘relaunch’ of this popular local social-networking site.
As described by the undertaking, Lokalisten Media GmbH, in a press release: many new features have made their debut including an interface to external applications online. As a result, users are able to personalize their individual member pages according to their express needs.
This means that users can become more active and creative participants in the community. It is now possible for each member to create and develop their own applications. Assuming that these new programs fulfill a series of security and other requirements, the programs will then be integrated into the catalog of applications offered, and made available to all members.
A further new item is the so-called Activity feed, so that the user can inform friends of changes to their content– such as photo albums, events or other items. In addition, the site has also been visually reworked, and navigation made more user-friendly. Users can now rearrange their pages using Drag and Drop, and place elements as they prefer. New drop-down menus also add to the new usability features of page and navigation components.
Posted in Web Communities, News |
Tags: Anwendung, Community, Freundenetzwerkes, Lokalisten, Media, Mitglied, Navigation, Pressemitteilung, Relaunch |
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