Text Yelp

Overview

Today, 32% of people still don't have smart phones. As such, it is extremely difficult for them to find out about exciting new locations when traveling, or away from the computer. This allows users to access Yelp through text.

Additionally, many people have trouble deciding where to go. This helps users randomly decide a user-specified number of options to choose from, to help eliminate decision fatigue.

As such, there are four main features to this program:

1. Allow non-smartphones to still search for Yelp results, whereas they wouldn't normally be able to
2. Randomly choose an option to combat group indecision when choosing a place to go
3. Find details about results (phone number, address, ratings)
4. Give directions to an address through different modes of transportation

Usage Instructions

Currently, verified numbers can message +16503977854 via. SMS. Text usage to +16503977854 to see how to use the application.

1. Unfortunately, the Twilio account used is on the free version, but you can sign into TextFree to use the registered number +15302978104.
2. The username and password are both yelpandchill. To input newlines as specified in the example from desktop, press shift+enter. For the time being until I can find an application that can receive long messages from Twilio, there are certain constraints.
3. If you would like to register your number to be verified, feel free to email me.

usage typically texts back

Sent from your Twilio trial account - Usage:
1st line is the tool you'd like to use - yac or random
2nd line is the current location (e.g. San Diego)
3rd line is your search string
4th line is the number of random options you'd like to be shown
Here are examples:

yac
San Diego
Escape Room

will return all results for 'Escape Room' in San Diego

random
San Diego
Escape Room
4

will return 4 random results for 'Escape Room' in San Diego

To use the TextFree application, I suggest using the random option to limit the length of reply. An example would be:

random
San Diego
Escape Room
3

Next, an example of a response for general yac usage with the request:

yac
san diego
escape room

would be:

Sent from your Twilio trial account - Powered by Yelp
Great Room Escape San Diego
Escape Room Police
Ryptic Room Escape
Escapism Puzzle Room
Escape Game SD
The Puzzalarium
Enigma HQ
House of Hints
Divergent Realities
Steal and Escape
The Entrapment
Quicksand Escape Games
3rd Day Escape
Feet First Eventertainment
Escapology
Nate's Point Dog Park - Balboa Park
Balboa Park
Point Loma Sports Club
San Diego Zoo
Kensington Club

The user can also ask for details: for the example

detail
San Diego
Balboa Park

The reply is

Sent from your Twilio trial account - Powered by Yelp

Balboa Park
Phone: +1-619-239-0512
Address: 1549 El Prado
Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
5.0/5 over 1443 reviews

Finally, the user can get directions. For example if I am leaving from Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

to

Serra park, Tennis Courts, 730 The Dalles Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 and I want to drive, I can send:

direction
Sunnyvale Public Library, Sunnyvale, CA
Serra Park, Sunnyvale, CA
driving

and the response will be

Start from: Sunnyvale, CA, USA
End at: Serra park, Tennis Courts, 730 The Dalles Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA
Duration: 10 mins
Distance: 3.1 mi
Head east on El Camino Real
Turn right onto E Remington Dr
Turn left onto Hollenbeck Ave
Turn right at Grand Coulee Ave; Destination will be on the right

Alternate modes of transportation are walking, bicycling, and transit. Driving is the default mode of transportation.

Support or Contact

If you have an issue or further suggestions, please use the issue tracker. Thanks!

Authors and Contributors

Created by Vincent Yang (@YangVincent). If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to drop be a line at [email protected].