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News
Issue #2002 - 19
(May 2002)
(Updated May
22, 2002)
INFRASTRUCTURE, PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Palm i705 Users Turning to
Wireless Restaurant Directory
Last month GlobalDining of
Boulder, Colorado, began offering what is considered to be the
largest location-based mobile restaurant directory to Palm i705
users and now has reported that it served over 250,000 page views
via Palm’s newly released wireless handheld. But for
restaurateurs, no matter how you slice it, it is difficult to
translate that figure into meals served.
The service is free for Palm users accessing the MyPalm portal;
however, the over 500,000 participating restaurants are charged a
fee for a listing that includes the type of food served, the
restaurant’s atmosphere, consumer ratings, prices and other
relevant information.
Palm users can select the distance they wish to travel from their
current location and indicate what type of restaurant they want.
Restaurants may list daily specials, and new menu items. Once a
selection has been made, the diner can instantly reserve a table by
way of technology provided by SingalSoft Corp.
While a number like 250,000 appears small in Internet terms,
remarked J.R. Nardulli of GlobalDining, "we believe it
represents significant evidence that the new medium for reaching
customers is wireless."
Some restaurateurs, however, are skeptical of how this medium
will help their business. For example, a restaurant owner in Boulder
told ‘For the Camera,’ "It [concept of wireless
advertising] sounds pretty new. I don’t know how it would impact
us."
"I think when people go out, they know where they want to
go, especially in Boulder were people walk from place to
place," he added.
In the same article, Nardulli reassured restaurant owners that
GlobalDining would help them save money on Yellow Pages advertising,
increase visibility in the mobile marketplace, and "bring
together the critical mass of all things that consumers are likely
to need and want from their mobile experience: dinning and
retail."
For more information: http://www.globaldining.com
MobileInfo.com’s Comments & Advisory: Location-based
restaurant directory along with driving directions are applications
that will find favour with mobile consumers because these decisions
are based on the spur of the moment. Wireless advertising has to be
used carefully, as Mr. Nardulli agrees with us. It must be done with
consumer opt-in or when requested (pulled) by the consumer. New
mobile devices like Palm i705a are attractive vehicles because of
wireless always-on connection. We expect that page views of this
type will continue to increase over the next few years.
Note: This news release may contain
forward-looking statements. Readers should take appropriate caution in
developing plans utilizing these products, services and technology
architectures. All trademarks used in this summary are
the property of their respective owners.
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