Ask.com noticed some interesting behavior happening on its Q&A iPhone application. People were trying to have "conversations" in the comments area of the app, according to Ask's Jason Rupp. Much of that chat activity was focused on particular locations. But Ask's Q&A app wasn't intended to support full-blown conversations. Cut to several months later and, just in time for the SXSW conference, Ask is launching a new app focused on local conversations. It's called Ask Around. Location awareness on the phone immediately puts people into the middle of a local conversation. All commen [...]

Related Topics: Ask: General | Ask: Mobile | Ask: Other

An Ask.com survey, conducted by Harris Interactive (n=1,538 US mobile phone users), finds that user expectations on mobile devices (especially in a local context) are different vs. the PC. The study is intended in part of promote Ask's Q&A mobile app. But the data also reflect and confirm interesting differences between mobile and PC user attitudes and behavior. The study reveals that mobile users have higher expectations of information and want more "real time" content than they do on the PC. This makes sense given that the needs and interests of most mobile users are more immediate th [...]

Related Topics: Ask: General | Ask: Mobile

As Matt posted earlier this evening Ask is in beta on a new approach to search, or perhaps more accurately: a return to an earlier approach but with greater experience and sophistication. The IAC-owned company is returning, conceptually, to its origins as a question & answer engine, when human editors were involved. This has been in the works since last year when Ask was calling it "social search." The company is making a serious bet that "Q&A" can be a differentiator for Ask and provide new appeal for the engine, which has seen flat-to-modestly-declining traffic over the past two y [...]

Related Topics: Ask: Ask 3D | Ask: General | Ask: Mobile | Ask: Web Search | Top News

Online coupons have been around for many years, at least a decade. Despite this no publisher or site has arisen to yet win the space. There's no Facebook of coupons, no Twitter of coupons and, dare I say it, no Google of coupons. Google itself would seem to have missed or mishandled the opportunity with its peek-a-boo approach to local coupons. Yet coupons and deals have become progressively hotter during the recession. And now there are a growing number of sites online and in mobile that promise access to offers and savings. Sensing a differentiating opportunity, Ask is today launching a [...]

Related Topics: Ask: General | Ask: Maps | Ask: Mobile

Ask's Mobile WAP site has added voice to the process of getting directions. The voice-activated service is provided by Dial Directions. On the mobile Ask site, next to the "Directions" link you'll find a new "Voice Entry" link. That sends users to the Dial Directions phone number (347-328-4667) or initiates a phone call. Users then verbally provide the requested location and destination information. The service sends a text link that opens a WAP page with a map and turn-by-turn directions. Dial Directions also has the capacity to provide text-only directions that don't require mobile browser a [...]

Related Topics: Ask: Mobile