Network Computingwww.networkcomputing.com

The Perfect Search With Your Cell Phone

Posted by Robert Hertzberg
September 29, 2006

Tags: Alltel Wireless, Google, JumpTap, Medio Systems, Robert Hertzberg, Verizon Wireless, Yahoo, cell phone, search applications, search queries, Cell Phones, Customs Duties, Data Networking & Management, Enterprise Search, International Organizations, Internet and E-Business, Justice and Public Safety, Mobile and Wireless, Mobile messaging, Networking and Telecom, Non-Computer Browser Platforms, Other, Privacy, Search Engines, State Agencies, State Law-Enforcement Agencies, Travel-Related Issues, Vertical Applications, Wireless, Wireless Web, wireless

Channel: Enterprise Search, Other, Networking & Mgmt, Wireless

You're on the road, your BlackBerry's on the blink, and you've lost the address for your business dinner. What to do? It may not be long before you can use your cell phone to do an Internet search. Except the company returning your answer may not be Google.

This September, Alltel Wireless announced a deal to develop a mobile search service with start-up JumpTap. Similarly, Verizon Wireless teamed with newcomer Medio Systems.

Start-ups are getting the deals because the telcos fear being outflanked on their own turf. Wireless companies don't want to wake up to a world in which the Google or Yahoo logo is popping up on their customers' screens--they'd prefer to keep that ad revenue to themselves. Mobile providers "have a small and shrinking window of time to get into this game," says JumpTap marketing vice president Eric McCabe.

Current efforts in mobile search are focused on consumers--letting them search WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) and XHTML sites for ring tones, music and sports scores. Once the start-ups have established themselves, they'll likely offer more business-oriented content and capabilities--assuming the search giants haven't beat them to the punch. --Robert Hertzberg, rhertz@nwc.com

Related Reading

More wireless Insights