Apple's Most Useful Social App Isn't From Apple

Are investors giving Yelp its due? After switching from Google's Local app for a week, Fool contributor Tim Beyers isn't so sure.

Yelp comes off as offering the best of Foursquare and Google in a neat package that benefits from sharp improvements in Apple's mapping technology. A new "Nearby" tab for iOS users is particularly helpful, especially when it comes to finding frequently used services in a place you've never been before. Scouring social check-ins can also make it easier to find the right spot fast, Tim says in the following video.

A 68% surge in Yelp's first-quarter revenue speaks to increased advertiser interest. Mobile devices are largely responsible for the gains: 10 million handsets orchestrated 15 million calls to local businesses via Yelp in Q1.

Google, for its part, is battling back by making it easier for users to submit restaurant reviews. That there's a race at all suggests Yelp has found a niche it can exploit. It wouldn't be too surprising to see Apple make a bid to acquire the business outright.

Do you agree? Watch the video to get Tim's full take, and then let us know whether you would buy, sell, or short Yelp stock at current prices.

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The article Apple's Most Useful Social App Isn't From Apple originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Tim Beyers is a member of the Motley Fool Rule Breakers stock-picking team and the Motley Fool Supernova Odyssey I mission. He owned shares of Apple and Google at the time of publication. Check out Tim's web home and portfolio holdings or connect with him on Google+, Tumblr, or Twitter, where he goes by @milehighfool. You can also get his insights delivered directly to your RSS reader.The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Facebook, and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Facebook, and Google. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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