CES: Yahoo Local provides the nitty gritty
Yahoo launches a new beta of its Local site that offers neighborhood-specific information and promotions.
LAS VEGAS--Software isn't the main attraction at CES 2011, but that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty of innovation to be seen on the show floor. One of the interesting developments we saw in action while trolling around was Yahoo's new Local service, a one-stop spot for neighborhood info gluttons.
With its updated Local service, Yahoo hopes to provide a hub through which users can easily access news, community information, businesses, and promotions that pertain to specific neighborhoods. For example, rather than having to check in on Groupon, the Daily Deal, and so on, you can simply hit up Yahoo Local, which will compile all the relevant deals in one place. It will also pull in content from local blogs such as Haighteration and Mission Mission as well as community members.
The core idea is that "local" for many people refers to a radius of 10 to 15 minutes from their homes (walking in urban areas and driving for suburbanites). Yahoo also recognizes that users are still interested in news and deals for their larger living areas, so some of that information will be pulled into the Local pages as well.
In addition to the Web-based service, Yahoo will also offer various mobile apps, starting with those for iOS and Android devices. Both the Web service and the apps feature one-click links for sharing content via Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail. You can also "like" a story and comment on it from the main news feed page.
If you're interested in checking out the new Local service, Yahoo currently offers it in the form of a public beta. Starting out, it's available in several San Francisco neighborhoods, a handful of other Bay Area cities, three Michigan neighborhoods, and Brooklyn, N.Y.