Blekko has just launched a new smartphone version of its mobile search product izik, which until now was only for iPad and Android tablets.

The app, now available in Apple’s App Store and in Google Play, tries to emulate the tablet experience, while adding a local search element lacking from that version.

Blekko’s director of product management and design, Daniel Swartz, tells WebProNews that a smartphone version of izik has been the most requested feature. The tablet version, he says, sees users spending 12 minutes per session, and averaging 1.6 queries per session, with 70% of its user base being returning users.

People use tablets more for content, while they use their smartphones on the go, Swartz says, which is why izik for the smartphone is getting the local search (or “What’s Nearby?”) feature. It gives you eight categories to find nearby places: Banks, Bars, Cafes, Gas, Grocery, Health, Movie Theaters, and Restaurants.

The feature is not available for izik on tablets, but will be eventually.

Blekko first launched izik back in January to bring a more tablet-friendly and visual interface to the search market. The app debuted in the top free reference apps on iTunes.

Blekko launched a redesign last month at blekko.com utilizing the API it built for izik.

When asked why the company chose to go with a different brand for izik, rather than just sticking with blekko, Swartz tells us there was no real concrete reason, and that they just wanted to try something different.

Earlier this month, news came out that Blekko both reduced its staff, laying off eight people, and raising a new $6 million round of funding.