Google announced that it has launched the Google Offers App for the iPhone.
“We have hundreds of offers you can purchase in advance and thousands of free offers that you can use instantly or save for later,” Google says. “Either way, when you are ready to use your offer, simply open your Google Offers app at the business and show your offer!”
Earlier this month, Google announced that it would integrate Google Offers into its Schemer app, which lets users keep track of activities they’d like to do. Google Offers would come in as offers become available to give you discounts on those activities. It’s unclear if there is any Schemer integration in this new Offers app itself.
Update: Google tells us there is not currently any Schemer integration in this new app: “Not at this time.”
Google currently has partnerships with “dozens of deal sites and thousands of local businesses” to power its Offers product.
The app is only available in the U.S. Cities that currently feature Google Offers deals include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, NYC, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Oakland / East Bay, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Paul, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington D.C.
Clearly, Google Offers still has a great deal of expansion to do. At least it will be available across platforms as more cities are added.
The app (much like the new Google+ Flipboard integration) should also help Google boost its presence on iOS devices, in light of Apple dropping Google for its Maps app. Given that Google+ and Google Offers are directly related to local search, this is worth noting.
The app can be downloaded from the App Store. The app is also available for Android devices.