Earthcomber, the popular and widely acclaimed location spotter for mobile phones, is releasing a fully integrated Blackberry suite that uses constant local search for personal needs and interests.

The free software and service uses available GPS on 8300, 8700 and 8800 models, including the Curve. Models without GPS can use Earthcomber’s self-spotting to trigger GPS-accurate searching.

Billed as “personal radar” for the road warrior, Earthcomber ratchets up the concepts for both mapping and local search.

Instead of requiring users to enter one search term at a time, Earthcomber looks for entire agendas, or “look lists,” and displays results in order of proximity.

For instance, with a roll of the wheel or ball and one click, Earthcomber checks for 36 cuisine types and displays distance to the closest restaurant for each. Clicking further down gives a full list, then details with directions and map view.

Similarly, clicking the “Business Mode” list produces a sweep of ATMs, banks, hotels, WiFi, free WiFi, printing, car rentals, office supply stores, express delivery and copy services. Other themes look for music, hobbies, history, historical points, events, and comprehensive shopping lists for specialty stores.

With private log-ins, people may enter additional interests, and can invite other friends and contacts to become “Peeps” and see when they are close by. This makes it possible to get together when circumstances find two or more acquaintances unexpectedly crossing paths at an airport, on vacation, or a business trip. Because Earthcomber maintains the service, it is not limited to individual networks, and makes it possible to “spot” friends on any phone or network.

While Earthcomber’s software and service is free, the company advises users to make sure they have adequate data plans with their cell service to avoid overages.

Earthcomber operates currently only in the U.S., but has plans to expand.

For further information:
Chris Cody
708 – 366-1600
Media specialist