Citysearch Makes Local Guides Available on Mobiles

Citysearch announced the beta launch of a mobile version of its local guide website. Providing a more intuitive mobile browsing experience and tailored specifically for each phone's interface, the website allows users to write reviews directly from their devices and includes a text-to-phone service for sharing business listings.

"The new Mobile by Citysearch converts any handheld from an access device to an input device-it’s a true two-way experience that empowers users to keep up with the social sphere on the go," said Jay Herratti, CEO of Citysearch. "Our new mobile experience makes it easy for people to find relevant, local information and participate in the online conversation from anywhere they choose."

Citysearch automatically detects the phone type used to access it and optimizes the navigation and user interface for the handset's particular operating system, screen size, keypad and browser capabilities. This means that the content layout and keystrokes required to access the information will vary according to the device used. For example, the layout will be optimized for being accessed via the touch screen, or via the thumbwheel, depending on the design of the handset. Citysearch is optimized for a wide range of platforms, including Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian and others.

For users on-the-go, the new website allows them to write reviews directly from their mobile devices, and share their impressions with the community. The popular "Best of Citysearch" feature from the Citysearch website is now available on cell phones, allowing users to quickly find which businesses - ranging from restaurants and retail, to travel and professional services - are rated the best in the area. Access to content has also been enhanced with new navigation tools, and drop down fields that allow people to narrow their searches based on distance and various other attributes. Another useful feature allows users to send business listing information, including name, contact information, rating, and more to other mobile devices and save that information for sharing it later.

The Citysearch website can be accessed from any web-capable phone here.