Postabon, the first user generated discount platform that helps consumers find and share local in-store deals, launched the beta version of its platform in New York City. Users upload information about great local discounts via Postabon’s mobile web app or web site; these recommendations are then placed in a searchable list of relevant, user-tested discounts happening in the area right now.

Finding a great deal on Postabon is as easy as searching by category, proximity, rating or keyword. Postabon’s home screen recognizes the user’s current location and displays a map pinpointing the most relevant user tested deals nearby. Over time, the company will provide increasingly relevant discount results as users create profiles, search, post and vote on deals in their area.

Posting a deal is simple and takes the same amount of time it would take to send a text, tweet or post a Facebook status update. Deal finders are asked to enter basic information on the deal, such as the name of the store offering the discount, the expiration date and one of four deal categories – Eat, Shop, Entertain or Miscellaneous. The deal is automatically geo-tagged and uploaded to the Postabon platform in real time. Users can comment, save and assign ratings to deals. Each post is referred to as a “bon,” the French word for “good,” to signify a good contribution to the Postabon community.

No good deed on Postabon goes unnoticed, so each time a user uploads a deal, they are rewarded with Karma points that push their profiles onto Postabon’s Karma Board of leading contributors. Users can compete for the best Karma by region or deal category each week. Similar to Twitter, Postabon users can follow other users whose recommendations they find valuable and track new deals through a following feed.

Postabon instantly recognizes your location & pinpoints all the best deals taking place right now in that neighborhood. The deals are found for people by people. In the time it takes to send a tweet, shoppers can post info on great deals they find out about events, sales in retail stores, restaurant deals and basically anywhere else they take your money.

The Postabon deals are people-generated & not computer-generated, they include helpful hints like what floor to go to, what the selection is like, etc. Of course, great finds on cheap or free events are in the mix as well. Here’s an example of a free concert user ‘cityshopmom’ stumbled upon: http://postabon.com/pc/deal?guid=2016.

Other future plans include adding more cities to the Postabon network and opening the platform to allow advertisers to share their deals with the community in a transparent matter.

To get started with Postabon on an iPhone, Palm Pre, Android phone or on your computer, visit  www.postabon.com.

Photo credit: Mrktwain from stock xchange

As per  Eliot Mizrachi of MarketWire, “Since their inception in 1994, the ESRB ratings have become a trusted resource for parents when choosing computer and video games. In April 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report(1) which found that nine in ten parents are aware of the ESRB ratings, 87% expressed satisfaction, and nearly three quarters use them regularly when choosing games for their children.”

I am very pleased that ESRB has released this application for the iPhone. I actually find myself, more and more, going to the ESRB site or using the ESRB widget to look up game ratings. The app offers instant access to ESRB’s Ratings Guide and access to the over 18, 000 reviewed game titles. Which means, if you want to make certain that a game is age appropriate – you can quickly search for the game and get back ESRB ratings results. This is also helpful when you are not certain what the game Content Descriptors mean – for example “Comic Mischief” or “Lyrics.”

ESRB is not forgetting about those dads/parents who do not have iPhone’s. If you happen to fall into that category then you can access ESRB mobile from your web enabled phone - m.esrb.org.

The interface is what you would expect from ESRB – clean and simple. You have three options:

1. Search
2. Home
3. Ratings Guide

Moving between screens is a bit slow but let’s just blame the appalling AT&T network, for that one. I have a couple of concerns with the user interface (UI) – text is small and some of the buttons are small and too close to each other. There appears to be enough real estate so the text and buttons could be larger. This would make the UI more user-friendly. Honestly, these concerns are superficial and I have been recommending, to all my iPhone carrying dads, that they need to get this (free) app, sooner than later.

Photo credit: New York Times

Whether you are living in New York, frequenting the Big Apple for work and social events or just in town for a visit- chances are you understand the meaning of a New York Minute.

A New York minute passes quicker than possibly any other minute on earth, life in the city is go-go-go, and not a minute to spare.  We are the ultimate multitaskers, and are constantly looking to simplify.

So as an Iphone user, and NY Metropolista- I set out on a mission, challenging Apple in the Big Apple. I thought of all the day to day issues we face and searched and tested them out… and the verdict is in-

When it comes to The challenge of  the NY Minute – “There’s an App for that!”

Actually there are several, and I’ve complied a top 10 list for all of your City survival needs.

- Around Me is your one stop shop for pretty much everything under the sun. You can search by business name or by category. Categories include: ATMs, Theaters, Coffee, Hospitals, Hotels, Restaurants, and Grocery Stores just to name a few. It provides you with address’, phone numbers as well as directions to your destination. This App is FREE.

- Sit or Squat (by Charmin) is an awesome little app that uses the Iphone’s GPS feature to find the closest bathrooms to your current location. This is a must have when you are traveling with children, but is also really useful for adults as well- because lets be honest When you got to go, you got to go and  if you (like me) have a phobia of porta potties, this app gives you many other  public bathrooms options that may be a tad bit cleaner. This App is FREE!

-PrimoSpot Parking is the answer to every bridge and tunnel-er’s biggest city gripe. It is truly heaven sent. This app also uses the Iphone GPS feature to find where you are, but not only does it find the closest and cheapest parking lots- it also lists the metered and free parking areas!  New Yorkers know all about Alternate Side Parking, and so does this nifty little App, taking all of  that into consideration while searching for your Primo Parking Spot!  And as if that wasn’t enough, there is also has a feature that can remember where you parked.  Amazing, just amazing. This App is $1.99 and worth every penny.

- NYC 311 allows users to help keep New York running like a well oiled machine. See a pot hole? Graffiti? Have a complaint about a school, business or taxi experience?  NYC 311 functions just like the 311 hotline and allows you to easily send your message along with images directly to the city.  This App is Free.

- NYC Kick Map Lite gives you a full subway map that includes all subway lines, stops and connections at a quick glance. This app also includes late night service cut back information which is always very helpful. This App is free.

- Hop Stop is a great app that requires little to no thought. You enter your destination, your perferred method of travel (Taxi, subway or bus) and it will map out your quickest route, even giving you alternate route options when there are changes in service. This App is free

- Exit Strategy is the app you will want to have to help you shave a few minutes from your trip. This application will tell you which subway car to ride according to which stop you are getting off and where you are going. This is especially helpful for those times you are running late. This App is $2.99

- Coovents locates all the best Happy Hour specials in the area, lets you save your favorites and you can even tell your friends where you will be going after work via twitter- directly from the app! This App is free.

- Food Cop gives you a quick ‘report card’ for local restaurants. It not only includes the ratings, but any violations they may have had. This App is .99

- MultiCam NYC shows you live traffic pictures of many major intersections of Manhattan as well as Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx. If you are looking to hop a cab across town for a meeting, you may want to consult this app first to see if the subway may be quicker. This App is .99

Photo credit: humdizzy on stock.exchgn