IAC has lately announced the launch of Ask Mobile location based application for its Ask.com web search service. The first ever service to combine local content, social networking and GPS navigation — is now available for download at http://gps.ask.com/.
New York – IAC/InterActiveCorp recently announced the introduction of a new mobile application for its Ask.com web search service to help consumers find friends, shops and services based on their location at a given moment.
The first ever GPS enabled application service featuring the best of Ask.com, Citysearch guide for shops and restaurants, and Evite.com the online party planner, which combines local content, social networking along with instant location finder and GPS navigation — is now available for download at http://gps.ask.com
The “Ask Mobile GPS,” System will be available shortly on Sprint Nextel Corp. through a deal between the No. 3 U.S. wireless carrier and WaveMarket, which provides location-based services for mobile phones.
The company claims that this new search service would enable the mobile users to find shops and services they want around the location they are present at that very moment. Ask Mobile GPS is just the start of our commitment to creating outstanding mobile offerings, said Doug Lebda, President and Chief Operating Officer of IAC.
In addition to search and GPS-enabled maps and directions, the company soon plans to add more IAC brands to the mobile application to be used for life’s every day activities such as dating site Match.com, home and property listing site RealEstate.com and box office service Ticketmaster with additional plans to integrate a broad array of mobile phones products and services to support as many as 275 million users worldwide.
Ask Mobile GPS simplifies the search for anything from nightclubs to emergency car towing by suggesting categories with the first letter typed into its search box. The program uses an iconic widget interface that makes navigation fast and fun. Unique features include:
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Browse Citysearch’s millions of listings to find restaurants, ATMs, spas, boutiques — just about anything you want. Search by specific business name (i.e. Starbucks) or by key word (i.e. coffee). Citysearch instantly serves up address, phone number, business hours, parking information, editorial reviews and ratings, and user reviews.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>View your Evite invitations, including guest lists and locations. Keep up to date with any changes in location and time, view the latest guest list, and automatically navigate to your events.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Save time by typing less. Ask Mobile GPS was built with the philosophy of minimizing key strokes in every way possible. GPS technology automatically finds and suggests nearby locations and businesses without having to enter in your location.
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Nearby cities are suggested when entering your location
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Nearby airports are suggested when searching airports
<!–[if !supportLists]–>· <!–[endif]–>Save Addresses and Directions so they are right there when you need them again. No need to type them again.
The service is offered at $9.99 per month on seven phone models currently offered by Sprint. IAC aims to expand the service to other U.S. carriers and may offer more basic tools to consumers for free, company executives stated.
IAC executives also highlighted new advertising opportunities linked to the Ask Mobile service based on the phone user’s location. A subscriber could be offered a coupon to an ice cream shop next door, or to a movie showing in the neighborhood.
With Ask Mobile GPS, your cell phone is like the remote control for your life. With the bundling of GPS with our lifestyle brands, your phone knows exactly where you are, so there is far less hunt-and-peck entering of information on the keypad when you are out and about, Ask.com CEO Jim Lanzone said in an interview ahead of the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit in New York next week.
IAC, controlled by media veteran and web investor Barry Diller — hopes that an early combination of the two will be an advantage in developing a new market for the nearly 75 million subscribers to its U.S. Web-based services.