Skyhook Wireless announced new partners that will use its Loki service to deliver hyper-local content and services.

Loki allows WAP and Web site content providers to have geo-targeting capabilities. Whrrl, Geocaching.com, Krillion, Yahoo Fire Eagle, UpNext and CitySquares can serve, search for and facilitate the creation of location-relevant content. Now laptop, desktop and mobile phone Internet users will be able to leverage this location-based capability.

"When downloaded, Loki makes a person's phone, desktop or laptop a location-based device and any site you visit can see what location you are at," said Ted Morgan, founder/CEO of Skyhook, Boston.

The news comes less than two weeks after Skyhook announced a deal with mobile site developer and ad network Quattro Wireless for location-based advertising (see story).

Whrrl is a new social discovery service from Pelago Inc. It uses elements of social networking, local discovery and user-generated content to create a medium for finding and sharing local information with friend networks.

Geocaching.com is using Loki as well. It allows Geocaching to deliver location-specific search results without users needing to submit their location.

Local search provider Krillion uses Loki to give online shoppers real-time, location-specific product availability information from major retailers in the United States.

Yahoo Fire Eagle lets people share their location with sites and services online.

Local content providers CitySquares and UpNext use Loki for accurate location information, which offers an important context for Web experiences.

"Loki makes the time between wanting an item and actually buying it much easier," Mr. Morgan said. "You don't have to type your address because the site already knows. This shortens the time between the actual buy."