Google announced Monday a new revamped website for Zagat, the restaurant review service it purchased in 2011, and mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Google Inc., world's largest web giant, announced a new fresh look for the Zagat website and mobile apps for Android and iOS that will help users search for the very best restaurants and nightspots while on the go. Google acquired Zagat, the online restaurant review service, in 2011.
Google has made the service's ratings and reviews free, requiring no registration, which was not the case for Zagat users until now.
The Zagat coverage remains relatively low but Google plans to expand the service to include up to 50 U.S. and international destinations in the coming months. The new Zagat covers restaurants and nightlife in nine cities including San Francisco, Austin, Boston, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The expansion will include reviews of hotels, shopping and "other places of interest," according to Gannon Hall, group product manager and head of Zagat.
"The new Zagat features the latest news and video content from our expert local editors, curated lists, powerful search and map-based browsing to help you find the local gems," Hall said in Google's Official Blog.
Last week, Google shut down its Google+ Local mobile app for iOS, as all the content was available in its Google Maps for iOS. Many people rely on Zagat ratings as a trusted source of local reviews and recommendations against other less famous sources. So this app may serve as a replacement for Google+ Local for iOS.
