A new social search engine that called What’s Open is launching its public beta version today. However, for those who want to access this social search engine through iPhone or Google Android application, other than Web, they can sign-up and use this platform only if they’re reside in the U.S., Europe or China based on the first-come first-serve basis. From my observation on the design and features of this What’s Open, it seemed that they’ve put in several months of effort before rolling out this public version. Apparently, What’s Open is a good alternative to Google, or Yahoo! or even Baidu (in China) when come to directory search on the Web. They’ve a whopping database index of global listings that amounted to 50 million, of which 1 million can be found live on the California What’s Open’s Google Maps now.

I consider this platform as a successful mashup of Google Maps and social search. Nevertheless, I feel it works best when they’ve successfully found a niche area to target in their social search strategies, and committed to compatible iPhone, Google Android applications and social networking platforms such as Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, and many more.

Currently, What’s Open has presence in the U.S., China and Hong Kong. Their key offices are located in Newport Beach and Mountain View of California, New York, Shanghai and Hong Kong.