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Google & China Mobile Launch Mobile Search Service

posted on January 4, 2007

The world’s largest mobile telecommunications carrier and the world’s most popular search engine have tied the knot and announced their offspring will be named Monternet….ooh, isn’t he cute.

From the official announcement…

Google will provide its world class search engine technology to China Mobile to enable “mobile search” on China Mobile’s Monternet WAP portal, and China Mobile users will be able to easily search Monternet and its vast content, including sports and entertainment news, ringtones, games, images, videos and novels. Users will be able to access the service via a search box or search link on Monternet’s homepage, or through a dedicated mobile search homepage on Monternet. The first-phase service has been partially put into trial operation in December, 2006 and will be launched broadly in the early part of 2007.

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Outlook for Mobile Marketing: Billions or bupkis?

posted on December 28, 2006

Today eMarketer Daily compiled conflicting reports on the future of mobile marketing. According to “Mobile Entertainment’s Potential Sharply Debated” by John du Pre Gauntt (free & live on a limited basis), the predictions for mobile revenues vary wildly:

In November 2006, Juniper Research forecast that total revenues for wireless providers from mobile entertainment in the mobile music, video, TV, gambling, gaming and adult categories would exceed $77 billion by 2011.

One month later, Informa Telecoms & Media followed with a mobile entertainment forecast that stated the total market in 2011 would be $38.1 billion.

eMarketer attributes the $40 billion difference to “wildcards” such as WiFi in the US and international wireless markets, especially China and India which are set to grow exponentially in the immediate future.

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Google Acquires Swiss Internet Mapping Company

posted on December 19, 2006

Not all Google acquisitions have a $1.65B price tag – in fact very few do. Google has gone back to snapping-up small interesting technology companies, with the acquisition of Endoxon, an internet mapping solutions company (actually, they only acquired 3 of the company’s 6 business units).

The Endoxon team has demonstrated passion and innovation in online mapping and has developed compelling technology that will enhance our Google geo products worldwide. We’re also excited about having a dedicated team in Europe that can bring a distinctively European focus to our Maps products in those markets.

It must be hard for a small company to resist the lure of being part of Google, yet allowed to continue operating in Europe. Google’s becoming the new internet incubator!

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MySpace and Cingular Launch MySpace Mobile

posted on December 18, 2006

Thanks to a deal between Cingular and MySpace, you’ll never have to worry about what each of your thousands of friends are doing, while you’re away from your computer. Mashable is reporting that MySpace Mobile is going live today.

…allowing Cingular subscribers to add photos, blog posts and comments to their MySpace pages for $2.99/month. You’ll also be able to send and receive your MySpace mail. The mobile version will be more lightweight, they say – it won’t have many graphics, banner ads or access to MySpace Video.

The service is java based and will work on 30 phones at launch. You can read the full press release here.

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First Apple’s iPhone, Next Google’s GPhone

posted on December 17, 2006

France Telecom’s mobile phone unit, Orange, reportedly sent executives to the Googleplex to discuss a potential partnership. The discussions could lead to Google’s search technology powering a new “Google phone”, which would make using cell phones as easy as the world’s most popular search engine.

Their plans centre on a branded Google phone…it might have a screen similar to a video iPod. But it would have built-in Google software which would dramatically improve on the slow and cumbersome experience of surfing the web from a mobile handset.

If you think you don’t need a Gphone, you may want to consider the features a Google-powered phone will bring…

Among the potential benefits are location-based searches: aware of your handset’s geographical position, Google could offer a tailored list of local cinemas, restaurants and other amenities, and maps and images from Google Earth.

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Virgin Mobile Taps JumpTap for Mobile Search Technology

posted on December 14, 2006

Virgin Mobile and JumpTap have announced a partnership that will see JumpTap’s mobile search engine technology powering Virgin’s cell phones.

Launching in February, this new search functionality will make it simple for Virgin Mobile customers to quickly discover the broadest amount of content they’re looking for, both within Virgin Mobiles own suite of content (i.e., on-portal), as well as out on the mobile Web (off-portal).

The deal not only enhances the search experience for Virgin Mobile’s cell phone users, but also opens up new advertising options with relevant sponsored links being delivered alongside organic search results.

Hat-tip to Ben Wills.

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Ask.com Launches AskCity

posted on December 4, 2006

Ask.com has taken its existing maps service, combined it with content from parent-company IAC’s CitySearch and Ticketmaster, stirred the ingredients and baked at 400F for 20 minutes. The result? A great new way to search for business, events, movies and maps using a new service called AskCity.

The interface is easy to use, and the 3-panel layout means you’ll keep track of your search. The integration of IAC’s CitySearch and Ticketmaster, means you can also purchase tickets for your favorite events!

Just one question for Ask.com. How hard is it to coordinate the launch with your own blog announcement? This is a great launch and shows how Ask will continue to benefit from IAC, so this two-line note on your blog doesn’t cut-it. Sorry.