Online business directory, Scoot.co.uk, has launched a new location-based iPhone application that helps mobile users find information about local businesses in just a couple of taps.   Free to download from the iPhone App Store, Scoot uses the iPhone’s GPS capability to locate the user, then find the nearest cafe, bank, restaurant, petrol station and much more. “It’s so quick and easy to use when you’re on the move”, said Sue Barnes, Scoot’s managing director. “There’s no need to type anything in: you just open the app and tap the relevant icon – cafe, for example. Scoot will then show your nearest cafes with name, address, phone number and distance from your current location.    “You can also use Scoot to find your nearest special offer! Just tap the Offers icon to see a list of nearby businesses that have posted a special offer or coupon on Scoot.”  

The mobile user can tap the ‘More’ button on each business listed to see further information such as descriptions, opening times, payment methods, special offers/coupons, pictures and even videos. They can see the business on a map, get directions, click to call or view their website.   The application includes a number of standard icons as the default, representing some of the more popular business categories within the Scoot UK business directory. These include banks, cafes, car repairs, chemists, dentists, doctors, drinks, estate agents, food, hospitals, hotels, newsagents, petrol stations, post offices, supermarkets, special offers and favourites. However, the user can easily customise the application by using the simple on/off toggle button to add search icons for more categories or even their favourite brands. Scoot will be adding more categories and brands in future releases of the application.   “Estimates of UK mobile Internet users still vary quite widely from 7.2 million* to 17.4 million**”, continued Barnes. “Although mobile data services have been slow to take off in the UK, this is about to change according to analyst, eMarketer***, thanks in part to the 3G iPhone and an increase in practical applications like maps, GPS services, games, news and social networking. We’re convinced that mobile search applications like the Scoot iPhone app that are convenient and simple to use will boost this market further.“   Scoot’s iPhone application is UK-based and gives mobile users information about businesses in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. If used outside these areas, the application will warn the user that Scoot is only available in the UK. The Scoot iPhone application is made available throughout the world, however, to allow visitors to the UK to install it from their home countries with the intention of using it when they arrive in the UK.    For more information about the Scoot iPhone application visit the website at http://www.scoot.co.uk/about-us/scoot-iphone-app. To download the Scoot iPhone application free of charge, visit the App Store at http://itunes.com/apps/scoot   * Nielsen Online, November 2008 ** Mobile Data Association, February 2009 *** eMarketer report: UK Mobile Internet