"People increasingly want to be able to 'do more' when they're on the go," Says Dan Entin of ZAGATSURVEY
 ZAGAT TO GOSM is a comprehensive restaurant and entertainment guide application available for BlackBerry® smartphones. It brings Zagat's popular survey-based reviews on over 25,000 restaurants, nightspots, and hotels in the U.S. and around the world right to your smartphone, and also includes Zagat's guide to the top U.S. golf courses.
While preparing this month's issue and software offers we took a moment to speak with Dan Entin, Senior Product Manager – Internet & Wireless – at ZAGAT SURVEY about mobile communications and the latest enhancements for ZAGAT TO GO BlackBerry smartphone users could be seeing soon.
Looking to make your life easier? Applications like ZAGAT TO GO for BlackBerry smartphone users are designed to do just that, giving you useful tools that save time and make your leisure activities more enjoyable. ZAGAT TO GO combines the portability of the popular Zagat Guide books with the robust search features of the ZAGAT.com websiite in a powerful mobile search tool.
 "People increasingly want to be able to 'do more' when they're on the go, whether that relates to leisure activities or their work. They're looking to replicate online experiences as closely as possible on their mobile device," says Dan Entin, Senior Product Manager – Internet & Wireless at Zagat Survey.
The ever-improving screen resolutions and data connection speeds of BlackBerry smartphones give users an excellent mobile equivalent to their broadband PC experience which, Entin says, is precisely what most people look for. "BlackBerry smartphone users in particular are accustomed to fast, reliable connections. So speed and performance is important for any application that hopes to go over well," says Entin. "We've certainly met those expectations with the latest version of ZAGAT TO GO."
"ZAGAT TO GO on your BlackBerry smartphone will let you search for a selection of local establishments that suit your preferences at the time, such as location, price range, or cuisine," he explains. "In fact," says Entin, "we've had many mobile subscribers tell us they prefer the mobile application over the online and print versions."
One of the reasons for the popularity of mobile applications is the continued prominence of smartphones in peoples' work and personal lives. "I read recently where a media executive was dispelling the notion that the mobile device is now the "third screen" – behind the TV and the PC – in terms of importance in peoples' lives," says Entin. "He said the mobile device is actually the first screen, and I agree, because so many people now take their smartphones absolutely everywhere they go."
 As mobile device use continues to increase, so, too, do the expectations of smartphone users, Entin points out.
Future versions of ZAGAT TO GO will take advantage of the increasing capabilities of the latest BlackBerry smartphones. "We'll be leveraging GPS services for compatible smartphones, so we can deliver search results that say: Here are the Zagat-rated establishments closest to where you're standing," Entin promises.
"We're also looking into providing our customers the ability to rate and review establishments right from their mobile device, to capture fresh, immediate reactions to their dining, nightlife and travel experiences," says Entin. Another new feature being considered is displaying full-color images of establishments to help find it from the exterior and or evaluate the ambience of the interior.
Exclusive Offer for BlackBerry Smartphone Users
For a limited time, BlackBerry smartphone users qualify for 25% OFF a ZAGAT TO GO subscription. Subscriptions
are available for up to a year at a time and include access to all new enhancements released during the
subscription period. Use this link to get 25% savings — only until August 31, 2007.
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