Where To? 7.0: iPhone local search app completely redesigned – at launch 33% off!

Where To?, the long-standing, popular local search app gets a large update. The user interface was completely rewritten and optimized for iOS 7 and 8. It is a paid update: existing users benefit from a 14 day introductory period and may get the new app for $1.99 instead of $2.99.

The app determines the location via GPS and lets the user choose from more than 2,200 search queries in more than 700 categories. In an instant the app lists all matches nearby. The results are visualized on a map or in a list sorted by distance.

First, the circular selection menu aids in selecting the main category for the search. Then, the user can drill down to the desired category with just a few taps. For each result the app offers a data sheet with detailed information. It displays the address and phone number and – if known – the business hours, the dinner menus, the homepage as well as user ratings and reviews.

Where To? 7.0 – What’s new
A lot has been changed in the new Where To? app. The user interface in Where To? 7.0 has been completely restructured and redesigned not only for the current iOS 7 but also with the upcoming iOS 8 in mind.

The extensive work requires a paid update. That means: Existing users need to purchase the new app again. For existing users and early birds an introductory period of two weeks is offered. In this time frame the app is available for $1.99 (instead of $2.99).

The new features in summary:

• Details: The details page is now seamlessly integrated with the map. That means the map is now always visible, at least in part.
• Separation of Reviews and Photos: Now there are three tabs on details pages: “Details”, “Reviews” and “Photos”. It’s not required to open a sub page anymore. The new photos browser gives more room to the photos with larger thumbnails.
• New list view: In list views, single items can be swiped to the left to display contextual buttons. Categories and place results can be marked as favorites. For place results directions can now be opened more quickly.
• BMW ConnectedDrive: Where To? now also works together with BMW along with Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The place information can now be sent to BMW ConnectedDrive to transfer it easily to the BMW dashboard. The cumbersome manual adding of destinations in the onboard navigation system is gone.
• Pebble smart watch: Where To? is compatible with Pebble smart watches. The free Where To? companion app for Pebble must be installed. Then the watch displays the direction and distance to the destination. The iPhone can be kept in the pocket while going to the destination.
• New sharing option: Found places could always be shared via text message, Facebook, Twitter or email. When sharing via email the address is now attached as a Vcard to easily import it. If the recipient also has an iPhone destinations can now be sent using AirDrop as well.

Ortwin Gentz of app developer FutureTap: “We worked long and hard on version 7. We’re especially proud of the various sophisticated animations, for instance when dealing with the new category wheel. It all adds up to a more fluid and pleasing user experience.”

Here is the description from the site.

Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more. Use Google Maps to discover great places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and reviews from people you trust. Sign in to save your favorite places and quickly access all your past searches and directions from your computer, right on your phone.

Search
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Discover places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and local reviews.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.

Directions
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Find your way by train, bus, subway or walking directions.
* Access live traffic information in cities across the world.

Street View and imagery
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.
* See inside more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
* View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world.

Simple and easy to use
* An entirely new Google Maps experience on your iPhone.
* Newly designed and streamlined interface for even easier navigation of your world.
* Use gestures to explore the map and browse results.

Based on the report, the map will respect orientation if you have compass support, as well as rotate using multi touch, but what is REALLY exciting is the ability to keep most of places you visit in cache down to the building detail.  So image having an Android tablet with Maps 5.0 without cell support; you can basically load up your city and outlining area and you good to go. Going to a new area? Once you get in town, stop by the nearest cafe ( or heck even Mc Donald’s have wifi) and download the city.  Done!  Sweet.

Although you can run this on Android 1.6, you really need a Droid or better.

Now will we see something like this for iPhone?  Sigh.. Not anytime soon, but there is no reason why we could not, its just a question of software.  But who is going to write it?  Apple.  Why should they?  But I know who might.  MotionX with the MotionX-GPS App.  Here is hoping!!  But till then, I will check my Droid everyone looking for Maps 5.0.  MMmmm..

The site says its comes with 580 buildings from 165 architects, in 270 cities with over 1000 images.

Come with a free trial, FREE TRIAL for 3 days so make sure you have time to play with it before you download it.  Even after the 3 days, it still allows a browsing mode.

{update} Matt Burns over at CrunchGear makes a good point that its not like THIS is going to kill off the GPS companies.  There are plenty of people who do not own smart phones and thus stand along GPS is the only option. But He also points out that the current model is a dying model.  Read more here…

Now, will we see this on the iphone?  Eh.. Not at first for the reason I listed above, but I think Apple understands they can only fight the river for so long, so perhaps late next year?  But this I can say, it sucks to be a GPS device company right now. Take a look at  today’s  GRMN’s stock.

Now check out this video from Google.  You will see now why the “rules have changed” (song title)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGXK4jKN_jY&feature=youtube_gdata