Zagat on iPhone: 'A disappointment' die-hards will still 'love'

(Credit: CNET)

Despite being a fan of Zagat's restaurant surveys, I've never been overly impressed with the mobile applications for Windows Mobile Smartphone and PocketPC, BlackBerry, and Palm.

Regrettably, Zagat To Go '09 for the iPhone and iPod Touch ($9.99 per year) isn't markedly different.

The components to a great mobile app are all there--venerable content, click-to-call, a Web site link, OpenTable reservations for some restaurants, and search and sorting filters--but the whole is somehow less than the sum of its parts.

Stability is a major concern, the app cries for an in-app browser, and Zagat To Go calibrates your location twice every time you open it, a repetition that quickly wears thin. Providing advanced search options to find, for instance, sushi restaurants nearby for under $30 would make the app immediately more winning.

iTunes App Store reviewers have also thoroughly picked a bone with the app over a "cheesy" link to other apps created by Zagat's mobile publishing partner, Handmark, and "frustrating," "misleading" information about the cities and countries covered. It's true that Zagat Survey is strongest in metropolitan US cities, with passable international coverage in the UK, Italy, and France, and some world cities, like Tokyo, Toronto, London, and Rome. Handmark should more explicitly list those cities to minimize the backlash.

It's also true that Zagat To Go will best serve the foodies who want to "cut through the garbage" found on Yelp's and Urbanspoon's iPhone apps and be funneled to finer dining. Big-city diners dedicated to Zagat's yearly survey have in this iPhone app a slightly more economical and much more convenient and interactive option than toting the book with them on travels near and far, or viewing the cramped mobile Web site from the Safari browser.

Update: 12/2/08 at 3:40 PM. Handmark commented in an e-mail that a new release being submitted to iPhone's App Store for approval today will request location access upon launching the app for the first time. A button on the main search screen will let you manually update your new location.

[winterwanter]

I agree. I paid $10 for that app and was very disappointed. There is no search option except searching by a broad query, like restaurants in Chelsea, or Italian, but not Italian restaurants in Chelsea. It's pathetic. I feel ripped off. I only hope they get a clue and improve this application.

[LenKendall]

In 36 months Yelp has destroyed Zagat's 25 year old business:

http://constructivegrumpiness.squarespace.com/home/2008/11/11/the-assassination-of-zagat-guide-by-the-power-yelpcom.html

[AlWrent]

The App works GREAT in New York and Boston so far. Can't say about small cities.

[UbiUbi]

We suggest that you try our smartphone aggregator of the most trusted, expert-level dining reviews at http://www.ubiubi.mobi. Michelin and Hedonist Guides are already available and cover New York City, San Francisco (including Sonoma and Napa), Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. More cities and more content publishers will continue to be released in the months to come. Stay tuned...

[zagattogo]

ZAGATTOGO.com delivers a comprehensive collection of survey-based guides to your mobile phone.

(PRWEB) January 15, 2009 -- January 15, a global leader in mobile media, today announced that ZAGATTOGO.COM, the mobile version of Zagattogo.com hugely popular restaurant and entertainment guides, is available for the new Palm(R) Treo(TM) 700w smartphone from Verizon Wireless running Windows Mobile(R) 5.0. In addition to comprehensive ratings and rankings for 24,000 spots in 70 different cities, Zagattogo.com offers many Palm Treo 700w smartphone customers optimized features, including wireless content updates, detailed street-level maps, and turn-by-turn driving directions to the user's desired destination(1).

"The company continues our long commitment to Palm branded handhelds and smartphones by bringing ZAGATTOGO.com to the new IPhones, Palm Treo 700w smartphone from Verizon Wireless," said Peter Edwards. "Now those who want the Treo experience, but who prefer Windows Mobile 5.0 can enjoy everything that ZAGATTOGO.com has to offer."

"The Palm Treo 700w smartphone makes a great traveling companion," said Mark Bercow, senior vice president, business development, Palm, Inc. "And with the addition of ZAGATTOGO.com, Treo smartphone customers can easily find great restaurants and nightspots."

ZAGATTOGO.com delivers a comprehensive collection of survey-based guides to cities such as London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Las Vegas, Chicago, San Francisco, Tokyo, Washington D.C. and dozens more. Reviews and information on ZAGATTOGO.com are presented by neighborhood, cuisine and special features with ratings provided for food quality, decor, service and cost. In addition, data is searchable according to the user's needs, making it easy to find the perfect place for any occasion or interest.

ZAGATTOGO.com service is available now for the Palm Treo 700w smartphone from Verizon Wireless running. A full-featured, two-week free trial version is available and allows users to evaluate the software prior to purchase. The Zagat2go.com content available for the Palm Treo 700w smartphones.

For information on Zagat2go.com titles optimized for the Palm Treo 700w smartphone, visit http://www.zagattogo.com .

About Zagat2go.com:
Zagat2go.com is the world's leading provider of consumer survey-based
leisure content. Zagat2go.com rates and reviews restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment categories. Zagat2go.com content is available in print, on the Web, on the Palm and Pocket PC operating systems, on mobile phones, and on TV. For more information, visit http:///www.zagattogo.com.