Almost simultaneously, two rivals, Yahoo and Google, are set to launch brand new services targeting the rapidly growing mobile phone market.
In the near future, Yahoo will soon introduce a special type of mobile phone through a distribution channel with SBC Communications. This “device” will bring Yahoo closer to integrating digital music, photo sharing, and email with users’ existing online accounts, address books, and preferences.Similarly, search engine Google is also modifying some of its existing Internet search services specifically for wireless devices. Starting tomorrow, certain mobile phones will be able to access the company’s satellite mapping service (entirely wirelessly).
The latest moves by Yahoo and Google mark a new “evolution” of mobile phones, transitioning from purely communication devices to today’s “mini-computers“—with which you can do everything: access email, browse the web, download music, and even watch TV, in addition to texting and calling. Phone manufacturers are also gearing up to produce “all-in-one” devices that combine mobile phones with web browsing, wireless email, and MP3 players.
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| Google’s mapping service will appear on mobile screens as Google Local |
Back to Yahoo: the company started its partnership with SBC Communications back in 2001, and over time, the collaboration has gradually expanded beyond telecommunications and traditional online services. The joint goal is to converge video, wireless, and telephone services, and the launch of the SBC-Yahoo mobile device is the first step in that direction. Manufactured by Nokia, this device will hit the market early next year, with a price range of $200-300. With SBC-Yahoo, in addition to exclusive utility services from Yahoo, users will also be equipped with modern features of a premium phone: an MP3 player, a 1.3-megapixel camera, and an external memory card.
For its part, last year, Google launched a service allowing customers to receive search results via SMS. Starting tomorrow, those with Java-enabled phones will be able to download the Google Local application, enabling them to search for businesses or services in a specific geographical area and view search results directly on a map.
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