Yahoo launches localised service; users to get local information

New Delhi, Jun 10 (UNI) Yahoo India has launched a new community- based localised service Yahoo India Local (beta) in a bid to provide local information to users in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

''Users can write reviews, leave footprints and map annotations apart from some more features like the 'Essentialist', which will help the user get the required information about local areas,'' Yahoo India Head (Audience) Gopal Krishna told reporters here today.

'Essentialist' provides services like local contact numbers for services that one might need after just moving to a new area in the city.

The site also provides free listing to local businesses so that they can put up their services on the web.

The site also allows users to download or share information via SMS or email, apart from printer-friendly listings in a format ''that can be taped to a fridge'', Yahoo India Business Head (Local and Maps) Sridhar Ranganathan said.

The company has not yet finalised the revenue model. ''It will be similar to the other ad-based model but we have not yet zeroed down on a particular model,'' said Mr Krishna.

The service will be extended to other cities as well. ''We will look at the feedback we get from the current offering, and then take it to other cities,'' he added.

Asked about the ongoing tussle on Microsoft bid, Mr Krishna said, ''Yahoo's Board is always studying at increasing the shareholder's value. Any decision taken will reflect the same.'' UNI SR SBA VC1616