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GeoSpot Launches Local Mobile Search - Answers the Question, "What's Open Now?"
Local mobile search provider GeoSpot is out with a new beta of their Mobile Web service today. Ignore the fact that they have an absolutely ugly logo - let's look at what their service offers. Most local search offerings return results for the search regardless of whether the location is open currently. GeoSpot changes this by only displaying results of locations that are open currently or at a time you define.
With gas nearing $5/gallon, GeoSpot's search can save you on wasted trips only to find out that the location is closed. Once you find a POI (point-of-interest) that you are interested in, you can drill down deeper into that location (see below) or one-click to call the location if needed.
This is the first local search that I've seen that matches results to available times. How they will keep that database current is beyond me. While I like the idea a lot, what happens when a merchant complains because the system cost the store a sale because GeoSpot had the wrong availability listed? Please note that the service only works in California and Nevada currently and only "really" works in San Francisco which is quite lame.
Local search on mobile devices might be the hottest mobile sector currently. When we interviewed Snooth, they discussed the importance of searching for a wine on their system and finding a local merchant who had the wine in-stock currently. They used GPS and triangulation to figure out where you are and offer you merchant options. With the iPhone 3G soon on the market with its GPS offering, I believe we will see an even greater uptick in applications built for local.
Good article. Actually, you can search for open businesses through most of California. Pitty it is not available nationally.
If a business is open/closed looks to be a good functionality but doesn't necessarily capture all the information that a user may be looking for.
For example, If I was leaving the bar or a movie late night and looking for a cup of coffee it would be nice to know what's open matched with "Best Of" information. This way I could select the location that serves the best cup of coffee from the available open locations.
I stumbled upon GeoSpot.com web version several months ago. Being a field support engineer, I find myself in different parts of the Bay area on a regular basis. GeoSpot has been invaluable in finding new places to eat for lunch and dinner while I am out in the field. GeoSpot has just made there service even more valuable with the launch of its mobile version. Now I can search on the fly instead of pre-planning. I agree the Logo is butt ugly. I am also looking forward to when they expand their coverage area beyond the Bay Area as my job takes me throughout the Western Part of the US.
Thank you for sharing the information about GeoSpot service with your readers. One point I would like to make is that currently the service works in the whole of California and Nevada. While not every business has searchable operating hours (as you said that is not a simple feat), the coverage is solid in major population centers and destination areas including Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles with San Diego, Las Vegas, and Tahoe.
Letting people rate businesses and finding ones that are the “best" will be coming soon.
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