Although mobile users have the capability to employ Google search, the Mountain Valley company is preparing technology that will be easier to use with mobile phone. Google’s aim is to make search and subsequent results easier to view and use on cell phone monitors.
According to a report that appeared in tvnz.co.nz, Google admitted that if they did not launch an improved web search for mobile technology, they would miss out significant share of the market. Although 7 percent of mobile phone users in the US use mobile phone Internet, the number is expected to grow.
IDC analyst Keith Wayras said in concern to mobile internet use, “My gut feeling is it could be a competitive necessity for select internet companies.” He expects the numbers to rise to around 17% by 2006.
Google is working to improve the method in which cell phones actually view the requested information. They have created technology that reformats the appearance of a Web page to make it easier to use/see in the cell phone display. Currently, Google is testing their technology with Froogle Wireless.
On the larger browsers, Froogle shows an image of the item being searched, product and price information, as well as the vendor. The mobile format show product, price, and vendor, leaving the images out.
Google is also attempting to implement a derivative of its local search technology for the mobile universe. This will be a direct competitor to cell phone users calling their service provider’s information service. This search method will offer zip code based results.
The search engines are also addressing the ability to search photos, especially related to camera phones. Yahoo has an existing service that allows users to organize camera phone photos in a digital album. This service is offered through mobile phone service providers like AT&T.
AOL’s instant messenger service has also begun showing up on mobile phone service packages, and Vodaphone has begun offering Overture-based search to its members.
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Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for Murdok. Visit Murdok for the latest search news.
