local posts

Filed under: Search, Web

Google knows where you are, offers localized search results

by Brad Linder Apr 7th 2009

Google has been throwing some mapped results into general searches for a while. But now they're a whole lot more likely to be relevant, because Google is triangulating your geographic location based on your IP address and other information to give you search results in your area.

The end result is pretty useful. If you search for restaurants, post offices, libraries, or chain stores like Starbucks or Best Buy, there's a good chance Google will show you local results from your area complete with links, phone numbers, and a position on a map.

On the other hand, there's something a bit creepy about this new feature. I'm sure I'll get over it just like I got over the creepy, "wait, Google must be reading my email if the service can offer contextually relevant ads" jitters. But you can certainly file this under the category of "how much information do you really want any one company to have about you?"

Tags: google-maps, local, search-results

Filed under: iPhone, Search

Find local food in season with the Locavore iPhone app

by Jay Hathaway Mar 23rd 2009

There are lots of iPhone apps that help you find nearby places to eat or shop, but Locavore offers a totally different twist. It tells you which foods are in season and available locally, and also helps you find farmers' markets where you can pick them up. It also links to information and recipes for each of the ingredients in its database.

The search is by state, so some of the markets that come up might not be as close as you'd like. On the plus side, Locavore does use the iPhone's location features to show the closest markets first. If you're a serious foodie, Locavore looks like the app you want in your pocket when you plan a shopping trip. The pricetag is a reasonable $3.

Tags: food, foodie, local, locavore, recipes

Filed under: Internet, Web services, AOL, Search

MapQuest Local has weather, movie times, food and oh yeah, maps

by Brad Linder Sep 9th 2008

AOL's MapQuest is branching out and adding local content to its online map service. The idea is that MapQuest already lets you figure out how to get from one place to another. MapQuest Local lets you know what you might want to do when you get there.

You can access MapQuest Local via a the Local button at hte top of any MapQuest page. If you've never visited the page before, MapQuest will try to guess your location based on your IP address but you can adjust the location if it's wrong. You'll then see a whole slew of local infomration including local news, weather forecasts, restaurant reviews, and movie showtimes.

The page is composed of a series of widgets. If you don't care much about movie listings you can minimize that widget or drag and drop it to the bottom of the page where you don't have to look at it very often.

MapQuest is also looking for more partners to provide content from MapQuest Local. If you have a web site with an RSS feed providing local event listings or news, you can sign up and potentially distribute your content to millions of MapQuest users.

Tags: local, mapquest, mapquest-local

Filed under: Business, Fun, Web services, Social Software

Meet someone for lunch with Noonhat

by Ian Smith Oct 8th 2007

Have you ever walked into a restaurant to find only one person occupying each table? Why don't lonely people just sit together? Wouldn't a nice chat with a another warm blooded human be preferable to reading the newspaper over your slice of pizza?

Yeah, Brian Dorsey's friends didn't think it would work either. But he went ahead and launched Noonhat.com anyway.

With Noonhat.com you find your city on the map, enter your email address, and select the date you want to do lunch with someone. The application matches you with up to four other people who want to do lunch that day. It's that simple.

The jury is still out on whether or not this is a good idea. One thing is certain though, if only a very few people use Noonhat then that still means more empty tables so the rest of us can sit and read our newspapers in peace.

[via SeattlePI]

Tags: local, meet up, MeetUp, personals, seattle

Filed under: Productivity, Web services, Search

Search locally in Boston with Zync

by Chris Gilmer Sep 10th 2007

Finding local amenities is a tough task when traveling, let along in your area. A Boston company aims at helping personalized local search through algorithmic recommendations.

Zync has developed a prediction algorithm that enables users to pull in recommendations based on personal taste. Being that it's difficult to sift through recommendations for large cities, Zync takes into account personal tastes and the opinions of people you trust in order to model search results. Friends can share with each other what services, restaurants and locations that they enjoy, ranking them higher for their contact list.

Zync has currently only opened up only for Boston based results.

[via StartupSquad]

Tags: boston, local, search, zync

Filed under: Business, Fun, Internet, Utilities, Features, Productivity, Web services, Yahoo!, web 2.0

On the road and at home with Yahoo Go 2.0

by Chris Gilmer Aug 8th 2007

Over the past few weeks DLS has had the chance to check out Yahoo's GO 2.0 application for mobile devices at home and on the go with a Blackberry 8800 and a Nokia 6126. So how did the application fare out? Is it worth having on your device? What were the benefits and downfalls? And what would we change?

We have covered Yahoo's GO mobile application since it first was released in Beta to the public at the beginning of the year. We initially tried the mobile application out on a Motorola RAZR and Blackberry 8700 among other devices, and agreed that Yahoo had developed something rather special. However, it wasn't until we tried it out long term in our everyday lives that we really understood the benefits to the application.

Yahoo GO was developed by Yahoo for users to instantly search and connect to email, news, weather, stocks, finance, and Flickr, all through an intuitive interface Yahoo has named a carousal. After tooling around with the initial Beta release, Yahoo has released yet another version that reduces load times, and adds in some new tools like a calendar and address book to help in day to day time management. However a big integration has to be Yahoo GO's ability to use GPS on select devices, perfect for when on the go, and what makes this application stand out.

Tags: blackberry 8800, Blackberry8800, calendar, email, local, maps, mobile, mobile application, MobileApplication, nokia 6126, Nokia6126, traffic, weather, yahoo, yahoo go, YahooGo

Filed under: Business, Internet, Photo, Google

Google Streetview getting ready to invade the world

by Chris Gilmer Jul 17th 2007

Google's Streetview maps project has only just launched in a few U.S. cities thus far, however, some shocking new discoveries by a tipster has us wondering what Google is planning.

A Gizmodo reader followed a Google camera van that had been taking pictures around California back to the Googleplex, and stumbled upon a rather shocking surprise. A fleet of Chevy Cobalt cars suited up with what appears to be harnesses for 360° cameras. We can only assume that Google is planning on dispatching them around the US, and possibly into other major cities in the world as they get ready to expand Streetview maps. The cars have no license plates, but they do all have a metal device attached to the roof which could possibly be a camera mount of some sort.

With that said, get ready to draw your blinds and get ready for a full invasion of your privacy, because you are about to be Streetviewed.

Tags: chevy cobalt, ChevyCobalt, gogleplex, google, local, maps, photo, privacy, streetview

Filed under: Design, Developer, Fun, Internet, Web services, Search

eBay and Yahoo get together and build a toolbar

by Chris Gilmer Jul 5th 2007

Last year eBay entered into an advertising agreement with Yahoo, part of that agreement was to build a co-branded toolbar. It's now available.

The new eBay toolbar uses both Yahoo and eBay features to power it. With it users can search for items on eBay or Half.com, and search with Yahoo using Yahoo Local, Yahoo Video and Yahoo Answers among others. The toolbar also has one click access to Yahoo Mail, and gives direct access to eBay.com. Complete with account guard to protect auction accounts and eBay auction Alerts.

The eBay toolbar featuring Yahoo is currently available for Internet Explorer Windows users only, with a Firefox version in development.

[via AuctionBytes]

Tags: answers, auction, ebay, ie, internet explorer, InternetExplorer, local, nt, search, toolbar, video, vista, windows, xp, yahoo

Filed under: Business, Fun, Video, Web services

YouTube launches localized versions in Europe

by Chris Gilmer Jun 19th 2007

YouTube, the top destination online for videos, was once lacking in two areas, localized content and accessibility. The website served only as a platform for users that spoke English and views from a PC. That was then.

Enter now. As we spoke about in the latest Googleholic, YouTube launched localized versions of its popular video sharing service throughout Europe. The new versions of the site are targeted at users in Brazil, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, UK, and the U.S. At the moment, the video content is pulled from YouTube's U.S. based site, but as time goes on more local content will get added to the database.

This new local market proves to visitors that YouTube is serious about making their service as accessible as possible. YouTube Chad Hurley made the announcement at a press conference in Paris that the big thing for YouTube in 2007 is access. This comes only a few days after the launch of YouTube for mobile devices, whereby users can now view video content on mobile phones through a special portal, and an announcement about Apple providing YouTube content through the new Apple TV box.

Tags: europe, google, local, video, youtube

Filed under: Audio, Business, Text, Google, Microsoft

Tellme announces voice search

by Chris Gilmer Apr 17th 2007

The battle for the 411's is on. A lot of new developments are heading out the door at the Web 2.0 Conference well under way in San Francisco, and Tellme Networks has let people know about their new service, a 411 information request service called Tellme by Voice.

Microsoft owned Tellme Networks, a provider of voice enabled mobile search, believes that you should just have to say what you want, thus they have just announced a free service that expands the ways people can search for information from any phone. Similar to Google's GOOG 411 local voice search, users would simply speak into their phones, and they would be answered by hearing the result.

Tellme by Voice can be accessed by calling 1-800-555-TELL, and saying "business search" to find local business listings.

[via MobileCrunch]

Tags: google, local, microsoft, search, tellme, voice

Filed under: Business, Internet, Utilities, Web services, Yahoo!

Test drive a Dash powered by Yahoo

by Chris Gilmer Apr 9th 2007

How would you like to take a test drive one of the only GPS devices that is powered by Yahoo's Local search? The Dash team is looking for you!

We first wrote about Dash, the first internet connected automotive navigation system back in early January. This GPS device, powered by Yahoo Local Search, was once only available as a test in the San Francisco Bay area for 200 individuals. Dash has opened up recruiting and is looking for 2000 frustrated commuters. Heavy commuters and mobile gadget enthusiasts are preferred to test the device on their own terrain and traffic conditions across the U.S.

If you are interested in seeing what Yahoo Local can do for your commuting in your car or truck, check out www.Dash.net and fill out the survey.

Tags: commute, dash, gps, internet, local, navigation, search, yahoo

Filed under: Design, Developer, Internet, Photo, Video, Blogging, Web services

Travel locally with 71miles

by Chris Gilmer Mar 21st 2007

The definitive weekend trip guide has arrived. 71miles is an online destination focused entirely on local travel, providing users comprehensive reviews, trip notes, recommendations as well as narrated videos by local experts.

71miles has currently launched reviews of the San Francisco Bay area, as well as other Northern California hotspots, and will soon release reviews for the Washington DC Metro area.

Launching with virtually no money at all, 71miles merged many API's together making use of WordPress, and the Google Maps API. The whole site is built on the WordPress platform, and might be one of the most innovative uses of the WP blog framework ever created. So innovative that the creator of WorkPress has even said he thinks it is the coolest use of the Wordpress framework he's seen. That's saying a lot!

By the way, this isn't just another web 2.0 name that means nothing at all, 71 miles comes from a statistic which shows most trips take place within 71 miles from your home.

Tags: 71, 71miles, api, google, local, maps, search, travel, wordpress

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Windows Mobile, Web services, BlackBerry

Find things on your mobile device with Tappity

by Chris Gilmer Mar 5th 2007

Mobile web making you want to tap-out? Tappity thinks they can help. This free online service lets users check out mobile web pages that are stored in your unique personal mobile Tappity pages. Mobile homepages can be set so that users can search from whatever engine they frequently use, whether it's Google Local, Wikipedia, or Flickr. Since you set your zip code, information will be relevant to your location.

Logging on to Tappity with a mobile device browser gives you a drop down with your pre-set mobile search locations. It's certainly a great time saver having all of your main search locations in one area. Another great feature that makes Tappity worth bookmarking on your device is its list of mobile-capable websites. Its always hard to locate a site that's compatible with mobile devices, and remembering that mobile version of a website can be tough; Tappity has them all listed out for easy visiting.

Tags: blackberry, cell phone, CellPhone, local, mobile, mobile search, mobile websites, MobileSearch, MobileWebsites, search, tappity, web

Filed under: Business, Internet, Web services, Google

Local ads in Google Earth

by Chris Gilmer Feb 7th 2007

Taking a cue from Microsoft's Virtual Earth 3D, Google has been dishing out some local ads in Google Earth. The ads are sponsored listings from Google Local advertisers and it is not clear how long they have been appearing in Google Earth. A reader on the Search Engine Land reports receiving clarification of the issue from Google. It said that if Local Business Ads were created in AdWords accounts, they will now be appearing in Google Earth, as well as on Google Maps. Customized icons can also be made to help the locations stand out even more on the map. Have they gone a bit too far by dropping ads in Earth though? I don't mind them in Google Local, but I would prefer if the Earth was clear of litter. At least we don't have to view the ads until we decide to click on the location pins.

Tags: ads, adwords, earth, google, local, search, web

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, Windows Mobile, Web services, Google

Google Maps now available for Windows Mobile users

by Chris Gilmer Feb 1st 2007

Google has just released a new version of their Google Maps for Mobile application for Windows Mobile users. What is it good for?

Checking out real-time traffic congestion sites.
Getting detailed directions with step by step instructions.
Saving favorite places or routes.
Local business searches with contact information.
Enhanced business information including more details on businesses, with hours of operation, and amenities etc.
Interactive maps with the ability to zoom in and out, move in all directions, and switch to satellite imagery mode.
Monitor your data consumption in real time, so you know how many kbs you're ripping through.

The Windows Mobile Device has GPS-enabled maps for Windows Mobile 2003 and higher versions. You can download the application straight from the web and sync up, or visit www.google.com/gmm. Google Maps for Mobile is also available for Palms, Blackberrys, Motorolas, Nokias, and a ton of other devices.

Tags: google, gps, local, maps, search, windows mobile, WindowsMobile

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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