Ask has re-done their local search and re-launched it as AskCity. It is designed to integrate four searches: Business and Services, Events, Movies, and Maps and Directions. It is pulling local information from Citysearch, Ticketmaster, OpenTable, Tripadvisor, and more. Other than going directly to AskCity, it should be available in the Search Tools bar on the right (unless you’ve customized that). It is not (yet) available in the links above the search box after running a search, even when city names are included in the search. The maps have a variety of drawing tools and snapshot boxes below the map. The left panel has the Business, Events, Movies, and Maps choices in drop down panes.
For now, AskCity only covers the United States, but they plan on expanding to other locations. AskCity has a number of nice features. Movie information includes summaries and links to trailers. Some business and movie listings include reviews. Results can be saved (or “pinned”).
Yes, on my initial look, I found it easy to get lost in all the features. Some simple glitches need to be worked out. When I click on the AskCity logo it goes all the way back to the main Ask site rather than AskCity. After several clicks, I did not find an easy way to close the center Results column (needs a little X in the top right corner). Even so, it is well worth exploring all the features to find what this new interface can do. I hope to do a more thorough review in the future.