03 February 2008

Zook For S60 3rd Ed
Innovative Mobile Search Application

Bangalore based Ziva Software, a mobile search start-up, incubated at IIM Bangalore, has announced that the mobile application version of its popular search engine Zook, has been launched by Nokia as the featured application in its application.

Alternatively, Zook application is available for download at www.zook.in/client and works across Nokia’s smart phones running S60 3rd edition.

Zook is a new idea in mobile search that combines the results of broader web page search with social-networking functions and the knowledge of the location of your S60 device to provide you with optimised search and interaction.

It offers search on demand as well as search powered alerts, where based on your search, you can also choose to receive automatic alerts pushed to your phone.

Since it is location-aware, you can not only search for a given movie, but also know the closest movie theater that is playing that movie. If your phone has a built-in GPS, then Zook can use the precise location specified by your GPS hardware; and if you do not have GPS, Zook uses your cell ID to derive an approximation of your location for searching purposes. You can of course, do location-independent searching, such as searching for music, videos, and other content.

On the social networking side, you can query the Zook community or your specific group of friends to tell you, for example, what they think of the movie or restaurant before going to it. Zook can even tell which of your 'active' friends (those users in your phone book whose numbers have been promoted to Zook and also use Zook themselves) are nearest to you. Zook also offers the capability of integrated follow up actions into the search process.

For example, after finding a movie that meets your search criteria you can use actions such as ‘Buy movie ticket'; or after finding a deal of your liking, you could 'Request Callback' or 'Call Deals Expert'.

The Zook application featured by Nokia offers several other unique features like:

1. Phone book integration: Zook enables "search networking" by providing seamless access to your phone book. Short list a few results. Make the final decision by seeking inputs from your friends (or the Zook community). Or else, share comments/opinions with your friends and/or the whole community.

2. Location-aware search: Don't just find a movie. Find the one closest to you that plays it. Even when your phone does not have GPS, Zook derives your approximate location and shows results around your location.

3. Proximity and Presence: Add your buddies and find out when they are online or close by. Searching for a good movie? Get feedback and recommendations from online friends. Anyone nearby? Ask them to join you for the movie! You can use this feature in several ways!

4. Custom alerts: Looking for that particular deal? Or movie releases in your favourite multiplex? Set personalized alerts and get free updates! View them in the application UI.

Zook was launched in India in March 2008, and currently provides search results across the whole of India. Its worldwide launch is expected later in 2009.