Skyhook Wireless has announced the release of Loki 2.0 - a toolbar that determines your location through wifi triangulation, thus bypassing the need to enter a location when performing local search. Essentially, with a few lines of JavaScript into the HTML content, custom, local landing pages can be presented to and end-user - as long as they opt-in to the service.

One of the real benefits of Loki 2.0 is the increasing use of the Internet to drive brick-and-mortar sales. More people than ever are doing their research of products online before hitting the streets and making a purchase. After researching the product, this new service will make it easier for users to find a location near them that sells the product, and easier for sellers to tailor their pages for those users - for example, instant access to a map of the nearest retail location(s) selling the desired product. Other area-specific tools could include nearby restaurants, tourist attractions, real estate ...