Yahoo Local Search Set To Debut On Car Dashboards

In theory, local search is all about users finding what they need when and where they need it. In practice, it makes even more sense if that functionality is available to users on-the-move (hence the positive outlook for local mobile search, which can connect users – often in buying-mode – with businesses and merchants). Understanding this opportunity has no doubt motivated Yahoo to team up with Dash Navigation to provide users of Dash Express (the company’s Internet-connected, GPS-enabled automotive navigation system) access to Yahoo Local search from their cars, Dow Jones Newswires reports.

The local search capability will let drivers enter search requests into the Dash Express terminal, which will use the Yahoo Local search tool to find the addresses of local businesses and services relevant to the search query. The device, which uses GPS to provide its location to Yahoo, ensures the search engine will deliver the nearest results. In addition to passing on business addresses, Yahoo Local will also deliver ratings and reviews related to the search results and let users provide their feedback. (The companies are still negotiating whether Dash will also show Yahoo’s keyword-based advertisements. Panama, Yahoo’s search marketing platform, lets advertisers target their ads based on geography, allowing Yahoo to serve up location-relevant advertising if it makes a deal to do so.)

The companies did not disclose financial terms of their deal, or provide details of the cost of the device or service. The Dash Express will be available nationwide in the fall of 2007 and sold through consumer-electronics stores. It

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