Pole Star has launched the Mall Buddy Android app with indoor-location maps and turn-by-turn directions to help shoppers navigate nine of the major malls in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mall Buddy displays store information, including phone numbers, opening hours and retail websites. Shoppers can check-in to nearby stores and share their location with friends on Facebook. The app is also available through Facebooks Appcenter.

It uses the malls’ existing wi-fi infrastructure and smartphone sensors to determine the users location. Mall Buddy integrates Pole Star’s NAO Campus, which has already been deployed in a number of international airports.

The indoor maps have been supplied by Micello, a company which says it is mapping the great indoors and they will continue to work together on future deployments.

“Mall Buddy is a showcase for NAO Campus and a clear demonstration of what our technology can offer to large, indoor venue mobile applications,” said Christian Carle, CEO of Pole Star.  “Retailers and venue owners strive for real-time, tailored interactions with customers who are often only a few steps away from them.”