IRVINE, Calif., May 8, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- go2 Directory Systems (www.go2.com), a leading provider of local search and directory information over mobile devices in the U.S., today announced that an enhanced version of its premium Java downloadable application, go2 mGuide(tm), is now available on numerous Sprint and Nextel wireless phones equipped with GPS services.
The new, enhanced go2 mGuide makes it faster and easier for subscribers to find local information and destinations by utilizing the advanced Sprint GPS services to automatically determine and search near their current location. go2 mGuide then automatically names and saves the new location for future use.
The newest go2 mGuide retains all of the popular features of the original go2 mGuide product, including its unique, user-friendly interface and automatic and user-controlled personalization that stores favorite locations, theaters and searches for quick access. go2 mGuide provides subscribers complete local search, directory and movie guide capabilities, including yellow pages, movie listings, show times, reviews, cast and other movie information, quick and intuitive turn-by-turn directions, extended weather forecasts for any location in the U.S. and toll-free directory of airlines, hotels, car rentals and other services that provide an enhanced experience for on-the-go users.
Sprint GPS services provide a breakthrough in mobile, local search applications. By automatically determining a user's geographic location, Sprint GPS services allow go2 mGuide to expedite the search process, bypassing the need for users to manually input or select a starting point to find relevant nearby information and cutting straight to the desired results.
"Having delivered over 210 million page views of local search and directory information to mobile phone users in 2005, go2 has learned that ease and speed-of-use are two critical cornerstones of truly compelling mobile location-based services (LBS) applications," said Lee Hancock, CEO of go2. "We are delighted to incorporate Sprint's GPS services into go2 mGuide to make it even faster and easier-to-use."
go2 mGuide is a premium downloadable local search and directory application that has been available to consumers on Sprint's Java-enabled line of wireless phones since June 2005, for a small monthly fee. The new enhanced GPS services are available to go2 mGuide subscribers on a variety of Sprint and Nextel GPS-enabled phones, including the i265, i605, i760 and i860 Motorola phones. By building on the cutting-edge GPS service technology, Sprint subscribers are sure to receive the best quality service that go2 mGuide has to offer.
Mobile data usage has skyrocketed in the United States during the past year, resulting in greater demand for features that blend seamlessly into the mobile lifestyle. go2's recently published usage statistics indicate that public adoption of location-based searching has increased significantly. go2's usage in 2005 resulted in more than 210 million local search page views and more than 24.2 million unique mobile phone user sessions. This usage is consistent with a recent Sprint survey of wireless phone users, wherein 63 percent of those surveyed indicated that they wanted the ability to get maps and directions on their mobile phones.
go2 mGuide user feedback collected using an application-imbedded survey tool demonstrated that go2 mGuide is considered a fast and useful service with a high overall rating by its users. 92 percent of the respondents gave go2 mGuide the highest rating for usefulness, 89 percent gave it the highest rating for speed, and 89 percent gave it the highest overall rating. While 78 percent indicated that go2's unique "My Favorites" feature was the most used feature of the application, and 96 percent indicated they use go2 mGuide at least weekly.
About go2(r)
go2 owns and operates the go2 network of mobile, local search and directory websites containing Yellow Page, movie guide and other local information. go2 directories have industry-leading distribution through one-of-a-kind multi-category placements on the wireless Web menus of most major U.S. carriers. With millions of businesses listed in go2's database, go2's local search directories provide fast, convenient access to local information, including movie theater show times and customer specials and promotions. All go2 directories are fully integrated and feature one-touch calling and turn-by-turn directions together with detailed information on many U.S. businesses, including products and brands carried, hours of operations, etc. go2 Advertisers include ABC, American Express, AMF Bowling, Holiday Inn, Jamba Juice and ProFlowers.com.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., go2 is a privately held company. go2 holds or licenses several U.S. patents for location-based, Yellow Page-like directory services on mobile devices. For more information, visit www.go2.com.
go2(r), go2 Movies(r) and go2 mGuide(tm) are registered and unregistered trademarks of UDS Directory Corp., dba go2 Directory Systems.