The search for products and services Lokata now on Windows 8

On Habré has already been a post about the project Lokata.ru - Russian geolocation service, designed to search and promote products and services of local retailers. The Lokata website and mobile applications combine geolocation with a search engine, allowing buyers to find the necessary goods in the nearest stores, as well as to get the necessary information about the retailer - opening hours, address and phone number. The idea to collect the catalogs of all the stores in one application appealed to those people who, planning a shopping trip, want to save time and money.

The company recently announced an application for Windows 8 for desktops and tablets. Its launch took place almost simultaneously with the start of sales of the new OS from Microsoft - a logical step for the service, focused primarily on mobile device users.

Despite the fact that Windows 8 is a new platform for the project team (before this, mobile applications for iOS and Android were created), the Lokata application was developed in record time. This is made possible by the simplicity of the C # language, a good set of examples for learning, and excellent support from Microsoft and the community. In particular, this was due to the choice of C #, although the same functionality could be implemented in C ++, JavaScript and HTML5, VB. We should also mention Visual Studio. In conjunction with Expression Blend, this is probably one of the best IDEs you've ever worked with. It is very convenient and easy to write code. However, there is also a fly in the ointment associated with the novelty of the platform. For example, Bing Maps SDK’s unavailability or incomplete documentation.
')


The design of Lokata fits into the design of Win8. The application is designed in the already popular style of the new OS and consists of three working areas - “Offers nearby”, “Nearest shops” and “Add to favorites”. The working area increases as you add directories, retailers and geo-tagging.

The Lokata application for Windows 8 almost completely repeats the functionality of the web version of the service, except that it uses the integrated GPS module of the mobile device to determine the location of the user. You can always turn off automatic detection and enter the desired city and search zone yourself. After that, the system will display the results, sorting them according to the relevance of the offers and the distance from you to the store.

One of the key features of the Lokata application is the ability to view directories on the screen of a tablet or desktop. To date, the service database contains over five hundred current catalogs, brochures and flyers of various retailers. In order to “look through” one of them, it is enough to enter in the search box the name of the product or brand and the system will show all the catalogs in which it will meet the search word.



Users also have access to the function of informing about new offers of retailers. By clicking "Add to Favorites" you can subscribe to news about sales, current promotions and new catalogs of interesting outlets or brands. Marked stores will appear in the application workspace.



Lokata application is designed to become a permanent assistant in the search and selection of products and stores. The main users of the application are more likely to become owners of tablets with Win8, because the service is aimed at mobility, and many will like the opportunity to see the assortment and learn about the best deals in favorite stores nearby while sitting in a cafe, on a bench in a park or on public transport.