Microsoft’s Windows Live Messenger users looking for local business listings, maps and driving directions can receive them with Poynt, a new service that can be added directly in their contact list.
Calgary-based Multiplied Media Corporation has partnered with Yellowpages.ca in Canada as well as Superpages.com in the United States to integrate these directories into Microsoft’s instant messenger (IM) platform.
The service is added in the same way as regular IM “buddies” are added to a user’s friend list. After messenger users add the Poynt contact (point@yellowpages.ca) to their platform, they can interact with it much in the same way they would with other contacts. For example, users can look for a local coffee shop by typing “coffee” and their postal code to the Poynt “buddy.” Once the nearest locations are offered, users will also receive the option to look at maps and directions.
With Poynt, Multiplied Media looks to tap in to the over 40 million people in North America using Microsoft’s instant messenger. The company also launched Poynt for the AOL Instant Messenger platform earlier this year.