Times Mobile has launched a new location-based “Going Out Guide” service. The guide combines handset location with the Times Recommended RSS feeds, so that users can see what films, restaurants and music events it recommends in the area.
Built on Mobile Commerce‘s RoundU, the Going Out Guide is free to use, and supports all other RoundU functions. It is also using the Mobile Commerce ad server, allowing Times Mobile to publish advertising and sponsorship with it’s recommendations.
From the release:
Steve Page, CEO of Mobile Commerce, said: “Times Mobile using RoundU as the platform on which to build their Going Out Guide highlights the flexibility of our service. Any company can put their own look and feel on to RoundU using an easy to complete style sheet, with the end result easy to navigate quickly and looking great for the user. The Times is one of the most respected media brands in the world and we are delighted to be working with them. Together, and with our expertise, we are once again showing how the mobile industry is leading the way in terms of customer innovation.”
Times Mobile Commercial Business Partner James Davis added: “The Times Mobile Going Out Guide provides our mobile audience with an easy to use location based service that also includes our own Times Recommended feeds. Working with Mobile Commerce on this has enabled us to provide a valuable and useful service to our users.”
What we think?
This is a lovely little add-on for existing fans of the Times Recommended service, and the fact that it’s free won’t hurt either. It strikes me that this service doesn’t really need to have location integrated into it. LBS really does seem to be one of the mobile VAS of choice. Have a mobile service? Why not make it location-based? All in all, I think it’s a good trend. At least it shows that people aren’t just thinking of mobile devices as small screens for viewing the Internet on, and are tryin to take advantage of their unique features.
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