Smarter Agent
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Smarter Agent is a start-up technology company which specializes in real estate information and services. Founded by the brothers Brad and Eric Blumberg, the Philadelphia/Camden based company originally provided services as a licensed real estate brokerage with operations centered around the Internet. Since then, Smarter Agent has developed and launched the first of a suite of applications for mobile phones which utilize the proliferating GPS capabilities in cell phones today. The company has been awarded three US patents to protect the development of their applications. These patents pertain to LBS triggered searching for property-centric information and commerce as well as location-activated advertising in front of buildings.
Applications
Recently Sold Homes by Smarter Agent launched on June 27, 2006, and is currently available only on the Sprint Nextel mobile network providers. When engaged, the application works by activating the GPS function on the phone to pinpoint the user’s location, then displays the addresses of the homes within a three mile radius which have sold sometime in the past three years. The search can also be expanded to the user’s specifications by typing with the phone’s keypad.
Similar to Recently Sold Homes, an Apartments For Rent application is available that provides the user with relevant information about apartments and other rental properties available in their immediate vicinity. A user can also view pictures, maps, and other relevant information, and immediately get in touch with the landlord or rental agent. Features are in development to allow additional rental properties to be listed on the service through Smarter Agent's website.
The launch of Recently Sold Homes marked the premier of LBS real estate searches in the United States.
Issues/Criticism
With many emerging level technologies, there can be issues. There are known issues of occasionally spotty GPS coverage, as well as some network issues. For example, if cell service is unavailable in an area the Smarter Agent applications cannot communicate with the databases. Also, since applications are somewhat novel in the mobile sector, the procedure to find and download the application may be confusing. Finally, some traditional real estate brokers have expressed their discomfort in allowing consumers increasingly expansive and easy access to real estate listings and databases. Since this information was originally privy to brokers alone, there is some concern that this service is another form of competition.
Awards
For the development of its suite of applications, Smarter Agent has been awarded the following:
CTIA Emerging Technology Awards, LBS
Winner - 2006
NAVTEQ Global LBS challenge, Best Commerce/Advertising/Buying LBS Application
Winner - 2005
INMAN News, Most Innovative Broker/Franchisor, Best Real Estate Technology Application
Finalist - 2004-2006
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