To "Foodies"
INTRODUCTION
everywhere,
Zagat Survey is
known for providing an outlet to share one’s dining
experience, and to comfortably rely on other’s
experience when selecting a new establishment at
which to
dine. In 1979, long before today’s internet, Zagat
Survey started collecting New York City restaurant
reviews from the "man on the street." These
reviews were then culled and tallied manually into a
burgundy guide that fits into a jacket pocket. Today the
guides are easily noticeable at wine stores,
booksellers and epicurean shops. Technology has
allowed the Zagat Survey to expand to over 70
markets nationally and internationally, and there
are now Zagat
guides for hotels, resorts and spas, family travel,
entertaining, shopping, nightlife, movies, music,
theater and golf. In the last five years, Zagat
Survey has turned its focus to publishing
their guides on the web and to all types of mobile
devices. Their subscription based web site was
recently updated and the
Zagat To Go version 4.0 mobile device
application was released in October
2005 through Handmark, Inc. On
January 5, 2006, Zagat Survey
announced support for the Palm Treo 700w. Let’s take a look at the Pocket PC version of Zagat
To Go and see how the software guide stands up to
the venerable paper edition.
WHAT’S HOT
ZAGAT TO GO version
4.0 offers:
- Over 60 guides with trusted Zagat Survey ratings and reviews
- New wireless features include over-the-air updates, maps and driving directions
- Free content updates as new guides are released
- Find exactly what you're looking for with advanced search features
- Save your favorite searches for easy repeat access
- Create and save your lists of favorite places to eat, drink, shop and
play - Sort establishments and titles by name or rating with a single tap
- Easily add reservations and establishment information to your PDA calendar and
address book
The installation process uses the
SETUP
standard Windows XP/ActiveSync setup process.
Two versions of the application exist, one for
portrait/landscape Pocket PCs and one for square
Pocket PCs like the Treo 700w.
Multiple cities and guides can be selected during
installation. You can add guides later, directly from the Zagat To Go application
via an
active internet connection.
The publisher
validation and installation location screens from
Windows Mobile 5.
The license to use the Zagat To Go
PROGRAM FEATURES
software and associated Zagat Survey guides is based
on a yearly subscription of $24.95.
Zagat To Go is not
VGA enabled. The difference is evident between the Axim
X51v/WM 5.0 VGA screen on the left and the Axim X5/WM2003
QVGA screen on the right.
The file menu
provides for the management of guides, subscription
and updates.
The guide menu
item displays the currently installed guides, and
provides add, removal, and flash card copying functions.
The subscription
activation code is generated on the Handmark website
using the device id. The check for updates menu item
searches for software and guide updates. This function
requires internet connectivity.
The guide drop
down menu allows you to select any of the installed guide.
The main screen
can be sorted using the four key Zagat Survey
restaurant criterion: Food, Decor, Service and
Cost. The criteria will change based on the
type of guide your are viewing. In the golf course
guides, the criterion are Course, Facilities,
Service, Value, and Price. A maximum score of 30 is possible. The key to rating criteria
is available
here.
The main list screen for dining establishments. The
WM 5.0 screen shot on the left does not display the
lookup field correctly, although it works. On
the right the lookup field is displayed correctly
under
WM2003.
The Browse drop down menu allows you to filter the
list using preset categories. Each type of
guide has its own list of categories.
Under WM 5.0 on the left, the look up field does scale
up correctly when Phatware’s CalliGrapher is
invoked, but everything displays correctly in
WM2003.
The advanced
search features are customized for the type guide
that is being viewed.
Each of the non score oriented features can be filtered
by checking the desired selections.
The establishment detail information provides the
scores, access to a location map, and 3 tabs.
The tabs contain overview detail, review comments, and a
notepad for personal comments.
The review notes are culled together by Zagat
Survey’s editors from all the respondents comments. Personal notes can be added on the notes tab.
The tools menu provides the ability to add the
establishment to the PIM contact and calendar
database, as well as marking it as favorite and/or a wishlist item.
The map function displays the location of the
establishment. The tools menu provides for the
generation of directions and the ability to email
them. These feature requires internet
connectivity.
The directions and associated route map are
accurate. What a killer application this would
become if it was integrated with a GPS.
Zagat To Go does not display in landscape mode
correctly under
WM 5.0, however WM2003 SE landscape mode is
supported.
Zagat To Go provides very complete access to the guide information.
Although it works,
it is not quite ready for WM 5.0. Under WM2003 it works
very well.
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HELP SUPPORT
Handmark, Inc.
here. No manual is available, but with a
little playing, using the application is self explanatory. I submitted a
support request WM 5.0 issues. I got a response within
two business days that they were aware of the issues
and they will
be addressed in the next release. Zagat Survey did
not provide a date for the next release.
OPTIONS
RIM Blackberry and
certain Java enabled cell phones. A list of
compatible devices is available
here.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Zagat To Go
works under WM2002, WM2003, WM2003SE, and WM 5.0 with both rectangular and
square screen devices. The application requires 865KB and each
guide’s size varies. The guides can be moved to a storage card using the "Move
to Card" function..
BUGS AND WISHES
The WM2003 version works flawlessly, however under
WM 5.0, the search field and landscape issues are
annoying. Zagat Survey and Handmark are aware of the
issues and they are being addressed. In order to
make Zagat To Go a killer reference application, the
following features should be added:
The ability to dial an establishment’s number
directly from the details tab
The ability to use a Pocket PC mapping and GPS
application like Pocket Streets to locate an
establishment’s address
The ability to copy address and phone
information
The ability to add survey comments that would
synchronize with the Zagat web site
PURCHASING
Zagat To Go is a subscription based service which retails
for $24.95 a year, it is available for download
here
and can be trialed for 14 days. Considering that purchasing
nearly 50 of
the paper guides would cost about $600, this is an
excellent value.
PROS
replacement for the paper guides
guide update capability
search capability
CONS
phone dialing capability
clipboard capability
WM 5.0
integrated with any Pocket PC mapping or GPS
solution
map service not functioning
Value
Ease
of Use
Features
Overall
OVERALL IMPRESSION
a survey respondent for many years. Zagat Survey
culls together many opinions, and I have come to
trust the reviews over what newspaper columnist have
to say. From finding the best cheese steak in
Philadelphia (Delessandro’s Steak, 24 points in the
food category) to the best jazz club in Washington,
DC (Eighteenth Street Lounge, 24 points in the
appeal category), you won’t go wrong following the
survey’s recommendation. If you don’t agree you can
voice your opinion as a survey respondent.
Pocket PC is a great device to have all of this
reference information at one’s fingertips and the Zagat To Go software
is a good
replacement for the paper guides. With the addition
of my wish list items above and a WM 5.0 compliant
application, Zagat To Go becomes an excellent
application. With GPS enabled Pocket PC
devices becoming more common, the ability to
look up establishments based on one’s current
location would make Zagat To Go a killer
application.
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