Beta Labs - Yellowpages.com

Tune into the YPmobile App for iPad Demo Video

If you have an iPad, be sure to download AT&T Interactive’s YPmobile App for iPad. It’s available for free in the App Store. Go download it, test it out and start navigating your local lifestyle with the touch of a finger.

Check out Samantha Nebrich, associate director of Mobile Products at AT&T Interactive, in the following demo of the app.

iPad users, what are you waiting for? Go download the app and try it out.  As we build out additional features, we’ll continue to focus on users’ needs to plan, share and manage a multi-device lifestyle — and of course, keep you updated.

Roger Park
Blog Editor

YPmobile iPhone® Contest: Voice It. Share It. Win It.

Use the YPmobile App for iPhone and you could win a VIP trip to New York City!

As we mentioned in a previous post we recently added some features to our YPmobile App for iPhone.

Well, we’re excited to announce our new — Voice It. Share It. Win it. – contest where you could win a VIP trip to New York City. This trip includes field-level tickets to a New York Yankees game, a chef-prepared and multi-course dinner at the world famous New York City restaurant Nobu, premium tickets to a Broadway show and more. Plus, the first 2,500 participants will receive a $10 iTunes gift card.

To enter via iPhone.

1. Download the YPmobile App for iPhone
2. Search: “Nobu near New York City” or “Nobu” near “New York, NY”
3. Tap on one of the Nobu restaurant listings on the search results page.
4. Tap on “Share with my Friends” to email your results to  win@yp.com (from details page)

To enter via email, send an email to win@yp.com with the words “ENTER ME” in the subject line. Include your name, phone number and email address within the body of the email and receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes.

Check out the contest page for more information, official rules and privacy policy.

Already using YPmobile App for iPhone? That’s great! Here’s the mobile site for the contest: http://www.ypmobilewin.mobi/

Good luck!

Roger Park
Blog Editor

Check out YPmobile for Android — Now with Voice Search!

If you’re an Android user, you don’t want to miss out on AT&T Interactive’s latest release of YPmobile for Android.

YPmobile for Android helps keep your life in motion. Whether you’re searching for pizza, wanting to read reviews on auto mechanics, or in need of a dentist, YPmobile is the place to go when looking for local information.

YPmobile for Android features include:

• New voice search
• Map-based search
• User interface enhancements for search results and details
• Social features – post to Facebook and Twitter and more…

Android users, search for YPmobile on Android Market and download the free app.

Rather download YPmobile for Android from a web store? You can download the mobile app from GetJar.

Android users, what are you waiting for? Go download YPmobile for Android and let us know what you think.

Roger Park
Blog Editor

Latest YPmobile App for the iPhone Available

AT&T Interactive adds voice search to the free YPmobile local search app

As web searchers, we’re used to typing in search terms. But if you’re searching on your mobile device, sometimes your voice can be faster than your typing fingers.

Well, at AT&T Interactive, our YPmobile app was created to make it easier for mobile consumers to search and share.

We’re happy to announce that the latest version of YPmobile (available for iPhone and iPod Touch at the iTunes app Store for free) now allows you to search for local information by voice. Other features include:

• map-based search
• user interface enhancements for search results and details
• social features – post to Facebook and Twitter  and more…

Recently, we introduced YP.COM, the new YELLOWPAGES.COM, to help you discover local in new ways. Our latest version of YPmobile builds on a mobile local search experience that already includes useful tools to search and discover local business, events and sharing via email.

AT&T Interactive Product Manager Michelle Stone gives an engaging demo video on the latest version of the YPmobile app and its new features. Check out the following video.

Follow YPmobile on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ypmobile for product updates, mobile tips and more.

iPhone and iPod Touch users, go download the free app at the iTunes store and let us know what you think.

Roger Park
Blog Editor

Happy Holidays!

The holiday season is here. Although a joyous time, we know how the holidays can be a little stressful. Last minute shopping. Last minute gift wrapping. Last minute traveling. Last minute holiday party planning. Last minute wondering what to do with your third fruit cake gift basket.

Take a breath and relax for a bit. Feel better?

We just want to use this moment to wish you Happy Holidays!

Up at the North Pole, Santa’s elves are finishing up the last touches. While Santa’s elves work hard during the holiday season, the brightest and best here at AT&T Interactive BetaLabs develop innovative ideas into great products all year round. No offense to the Santa’s elves in our reader audience. And you can count on us all year round to keep you updated with our new ideas and developments.

Once again we truly extend our best wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season!

Roger Park
Blog Editor and Aspiring Elf

Engineering the Mobile Web Site

An interview with Richard Parker-Lead ATTi developer for Mobile Web

AT&T Interactive’s new mobile web site recently went live, which replaces the previous WAP site and the newer iPhone web app (site) – developed entirely by our AT&T Interactive Mobile Development Team.

The new site (found at m.yp.com) reflects features and search tools from our flagship mobile app – YPmobile.

One of the most significant changes is the site’s ability to dynamically deliver content based on the user’s device. It supports over 6,000 mobile device profiles! That means users should always see edge-to-edge crystal clear maps; and all of the icons and font sizes should be appropriately sized for their device’s screen size and resolution.

I had a chance to catch up with AT&T Interactive’s lead developer on this system, Richard Parker, to get more insight into all the work that went behind creating the new site:

Q: What language/tools were used to develop this application?
A: We used Ruby on Rails, Netbiscuits and the usual array of HTML, CSS, Javascript, etc.

Q: What were the technical challenges of this build?
A: We had to support over 6,000 different mobile devices, each with their own display peculiarities. This was in order to meet our primary requirement of the displays being functionally clean and scalable.

Q: Who was involved in the engineering of this system?
A: We worked with a very wide group within AT&T Interactive including Ops, Apps Support, Architecture, Manual QA, Automated QA, Business Intelligence, Search, Syndication, Web team, and Logging.

Q: Give us a short look back on this system
A: This system had previously been outsourced. We decided to “in source” with an internal team in order to have more influence on functionality and user interface.

Q: What else would you say was significant?
A: This build was done in a very short time frame, which is a strong reflection of the excellent working relationship within our product and the other engineering groups. The team was VERY open to help and suggestions. We operated in an “ego-less” fashion. Essentially it was passion for excellence tempered with receptiveness to outside influences. We re-factored constantly to raise the quality of the product. In addition, our code was reviewed by three different groups.

ypMobile 2.0 Promotion

Discover. Rock. Share.