Asklaila (www.asklaila.com), a local information service provider, has launched a mobile search service in the country. asklaila's mobile search allows consumers to search for information using their mobile phones.
Mobile phone users need to send text messages to 58989 their local search queries and within moments receive relevant results via SMS. The service can also be accessed through any Internet-enabled mobile phone at m.asklaila.com.
The service is available in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, with other cities to follow soon. SMS service is available on Reliance, Vodafone, and is expected to be shortly available on Airtel and other carriers (operator charges apply for SMS).
For example, when searching for an "ATM nr Bandra Rly Stn", asklaila responds with address and landmark for two ATMs via text message, with the ability to get more.
asklaila's mobile search is optimized for the mobile user and utilizes sophisticated technology to deliver the most relevant results. The search uses natural language processing and features user-specific intelligence like:
- Proximity search
- Syntax-free search option
- Support for Indian SMS lexicon (ex. nr – Near, Nxt – Next, CCD – Café Coffee Day)
- Address compression that enables users to see more results in less SMSs
- Understands locality short forms (Bnd – Bandra)
- Enables users to choose the level of details they want to see
- Landmark information that provides last mile locators
- Allows attribute-tagged search like '24 hours pharmacy', 'Roof top restaurant'
"We are excited to launch a mobile local information service on our own shortcode 58989; this goes a long way in our ongoing quest to deliver accurate, relevant and complete local information," said Kiran Konduri, co-founder, Four Interactive.
Four Interactive, the parent company that owns AskLaila, was setup in December 2006, with an initial funding by Matrix Partners India. In September 2007, it closed a US$ 10 million round of series B funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners; also joined by SVB India Capital and Matrix Partners India. AskLaila is currently available in four Indian cities - Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, and will be expanded to cover 33 cities.
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