The online services provider announced the launch of AOLMobile.com, and extended its AOL.com portal to WAP 2.0 browsers.
You’ve got mail…on your mobile handset. That’s the message this morning from Dulles, VA-based America Online. The company had quietly launched AOLMobile as a place for finding its services, downloadable cell phone content, and phones and accessories.
In a statement, AOL noted its partnership with DC-based InPhonic, Inc in building and delivering the new portal. The site offers links to a variety of handset applications, the most significant being access to AOL.com email as well as AIM email messages.
While AOL has been transitioning from a straight subscription-based model to more of a portal supported by advertising, the vast majority of its content has been made freely available to Internet users. One of the few services still restricted to subscription customers has been the AOL.com email address.
On wireless phones, AOL users with WAP 2.0 supported browsers can visit the aol.com portal. A beta of their Mobile Search Services has been made available, along with news, sports, weather, pictures, and Yellow Pages listings.
AOL has been pushing into the wireless space, with the recent acquisition of handset software maker Wildseed and the formation of a dedicated wireless group within the company. AOL also purchased Xdrive, a remote storage company; while not specifically linked to the wireless group, that service seems well-suited to augmenting a greater wireless content delivery initiative by the company.
David Utter is a staff writer for Murdok covering technology and business. Email him here.
