Yell.com develops new maps-based service as latest addition to suite of mobile products - 16 July 2008
Detailed maps, directions and business listings free to the mobile phoneYell.com today (July 16, 2008) announces a significant addition to its suite of free-to-use* mobile products, unveiling a much enhanced version that focuses on providing map-based information on businesses and services.
Yell.com mobile maps, a downloadable application that offers a range of market-leading product features, enables consumers to locate any address in the UK, get walking or driving directions displayed right on the map, and search for any of the 2.3m businesses available on Yell.com.
It has been developed to meet a growing consumer demand for local search information displayed directly on high quality, interactive maps.
Features unique to Yell.com mobile maps offer consumers the ability to save business names, addresses and phone numbers directly to the phone's contact list and also to share this information with others via text messaging – ideal, for instance, when organising a night out. People can also contact businesses directly from the application with a simple click to call.
The new application is supported initially on 90 different handsets, but this is set to expand rapidly to more than 100 handsets by the end of August this year. It has been developed in conjunction with Danish firm mobilePeople.
Carey Bunks, head of Yell.com mobile, said: “Mobile internet usage is accelerating rapidly and we know that people find the Yell.com service extremely useful when on the move and in need of local information. With the introduction of Yell.com mobile maps, we can really help people get the business information they need, when they need it, from a trusted supplier and, importantly, precisely located. The service can literally help them ‘map out’ their daily activities or evening out.”
Jens Andersen, chief executive officer and co-founder of mobilePeople, said: “We have worked with Yell to ensure that we can provide one of the most comprehensive mass market mobile applications, and are working hard to provide coverage to many more so that no matter what their handset, consumers can enjoy the benefits of Yell.com mobile local search.”
Yell.com mobile maps is available alongside Yell.com’s existing listings-based application, which continues to offer an excellent local information service for all Yell.com business listings.
For mobiles that do not support either application, Yell.com listings are also available, regardless of handset or network, through a mobile browser, simply by visiting mobile.yell.com.
Yell.com foresaw the potential of mobile services as early as 2001, when it developed its first WAP browse service, and then, with the introduction of more sophisticated mobile phones, followed on with its first beta application-based service in 2004.
For further information about this press release, please contact the Yell Press Office.
Notes to editors
- There are four easy ways to get Yell.com mobile:
2. Send a text message—text the word mobile to 80248
3. Visit the URL—just visit mobile.yell.com/uk using your mobile’s web browser
4. Ask another Yell.com mobile user to send—anyone you know with the service can send you a link to install the service.
Just follow the instructions and the service will automatically install onto your mobile device
- Yell.com mobile will offer all of its services free of charge to users. Standard network charges will apply and will vary dependent on individual providers
- Yell.com mobile should only be downloaded and used by or with the permission of the mobile phone bill payer
- In accordance with UK laws, Yell.com mobile should not be used whilst driving
About Yell.com
Launched in 1996, Yell.com is a leading local search engine and major online advertising medium for UK businesses. Yell.com provides users with a direct route to finding a business or service online using keyword, type of business, or company name and location as search criteria. Users can review relevant search results and quickly determine the right business for their needs.
Yell.com’s database of over two million UK business listings including 209,000 searchable advertisers (March 2008) can be accessed via the web site (www.yell.com) and mobile channels including JAVA™ and WAP services. www.yell.com provides several useful features such as zoom-enabled maps with directions, closest car parks and a personal Yell.com address book facility to keep a record of regularly used businesses.
About mobilePeople
mobilePeople is a global leader in local mobile search and advertising solutions for directory publishers and directory assistance providers. The company builds mobile presence, distribution and advertising utilising its award winning white label solution liquidTM. mobilePeople delivers its solutions to 14 Yellow Pages publishers in 12 countries worldwide. For further information please go to www.mobilepeople.com
Yell's online image library, containing product shots and logos can be found at www.yellgroup.com/images
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