Truvo, the largest publisher of directories in The Netherlands, has launched a downloadable Java search service for mobile users based on mobilePeople's popular 'liquid' platform. Truvo, formally called World Directories, headquartered in the US, is the first international directory publisher to make a number of different content sources searchable besides their own yellow pages (Goulden Gids) and white pages (Nationale Telefongids).
Truvo's searchable content includes yellow pages, white pages, news from De Telegraaf (in RSS feed format), weather, ringtones and wallpapers with fully integrated billing and WAP sites. Of particular interest is the direct link to Wikipedia, providing an invaluable search and information resource on the move. The integration of different content sources increases traffic in Truvo's mobile portal and ensures the stickiness of the service with users.
The solution utilises a single search box approach, when users type in a search term mobilePeople undertakes a search across all data sources and returns results by category. Then using a drop down menu, the user can also select to search by category. Furthermore, users can save results to their phonebook, call a business directly and contact a company by sending an email directly out of the search results.
The "liquid Map" solution provides the option to display the results of businesses or people on a fully realised map which can be zoomed and panned. mobilePeople utilises Scaleable Vector Graphics (SVG) which is superior to other map technologies as the map is handled inside the phone, is much faster and incurs less traffic cost for the user. Additionally users can click on a point of interest and they will receive additional information in a pop-up menu. The user can then highlight an entire street and view information on it just by clicking through.
Roeland De Meulemeester, Group Manager Online, Truvo NL, commented on the launch: "The Dutch mobile user is very discerning and therefore Truvo strives to provide the best and most relevant information to our users. With mobilePeople we have ensured that Truvo is the first directory provider to enable users to search third-party pages, to provide an unrivalled information experience."
Jens Andersen, CEO and co-founder of mobilePeople said: "mobilePeople is delighted to be working with such an innovative directory as Truvo. Dutch mobile users have been crying out for access to sites such as Wikipedia and now they have the tools at their fingertips."
In May 2007 Truvo launched the browser based (WAP 2.0) mobile search solution with mobilePeople. The launch of the Java client in The Netherlands is set to be followed by further country launches in Portugal, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland in the coming months.