NokiaBetaLabs

Don't have maps on your phone as it may not be supported? Have always wanted to have a service to know more about places around you? Now you can do that....even on phones those don't support Maps or don't have GPS.

Introducing Nokia Nearby, an innovative 'Hyper-Local Search' application where you can look for information about local places & listings within your vicinity. Discover places & listings like restaurants, movie theaters, and malls etc even without maps on your phone. Get details about the places that interest you and contact them from within the app.

• Discover & access info on places & listings around your location
• Search for location specific information within your vicinity
• Share place information with friends via SMS
  
• Send the entire app to friends via Bluetooth
• Call the listing from within the app

Updated December 8, 2011

• New feature – “View on map” for points of interest
• New feature – “Feedback’ from within the app
• UI enhancements for better usability for both, S40 and Symbian versions

Trial objectives

In this beta pilot, our goal is to understand the usability of this service. We would like to understand the usefulness of the service as well as get your thoughts on what features you think could be a part of such a service in the future. 

What we would want to measure  

• Popular categories & sub-categories people are searching for?  
• Understand what people search for
• Usefulness of the Local Search feature

Your thoughts on the brand name – ‘Nearby’ 

Kindly share with us what you think about the name ‘Nearby’. If you think the name is apt for the app or if you think we should continue to look for better names ;-)

Disclaimer

While this app works on S40, S60, and Symbian devices, it is targeted primarily towards emerging markets with a high emphasis on S40 devices. We are not trying to replace Maps but instead, trying to drive the value of location-based services to consumers and introduce them towards map-based behaviors.

Known Issues

• Conflicting application error on S40 devices
• For Touch & Type devices, interface works as a non-touch
• N8 and full touch experience not optimized
• Bluetooth transfer of the app on N8 & E7 causing problems