Yahoo has added mobile phones running Microsoft’s Windows Mobile and has agreed to partner with Taiwan’s High Tech Computer (HTC), the world’s leading maker of Windows Mobile smartphones, to place Yahoo on virtually all recent and new models. The Windows Mobile push is expected to expand its base of mobile Internet users by millions.
Yahoo appears to have gotten a temporary jump on rival Google in staking out a leading position on mobile phone devices, says the Washington Post.
In total, the company has agreement to run its Yahoo Go service on more than 175 different mobile phone models, including more than 100 models available today. Here’s a full list of compatible phones.
Earlier this year, Yahoo said it had signed deals with four of the top five mobile handset makers in the world: Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and LG Electronics.
Yahoo believes it will do a better job delivering vital information to mobile phone users without forcing them to click through as many links as conventional searches on the Web require.
Yahoo says their mobile software currently works on about 70 different phone models.
Yahoo’s OneSearch is a part of a major upgrade of Yahoo’s mobile software. The company plans to aggressively promote the software on its Web site, where visitors will be able to determine if the applications are compatible with their phones.
Yahoo! Go 2.0 includes a unique carousel for simple navigation of Yahoo! Go widgets for e-mail, local information and maps, news, sports, finance, entertainment, weather, photo sharing and search. It includes:
- Yahoo! oneSearch – A new mobile search service designed to give consumers instant answers. It recognizes the intent of a search term and presents relevant content – not just a list of web links to PC sites. Results are grouped by subject making it easy to read through and drill down to get more details
- Yahoo! Mail – Easily access and manage e-mail messages through the Yahoo! Mail messaging inbox on the phone, including ability to reply, delete and compose new messages, store e-mail messages locally on the device to allow for offline access
- Yahoo! Messenger – Send and receive messages, share emoticons, and access the Yahoo! Messenger friends’ list, just like on the PC. Set presence information to show availability to chat with friends and family, and view presence information to know when they are online too
- Yahoo! Personal Information Management - Synchronize contacts from the Yahoo! Address Book, tasks and events saved on Yahoo! Calendar
Google services aimed at the mobile user include:
- Google Mobile search: A Google icon in the application menu, will provide users with one-click access to Google search
- Google Maps for mobile: An application that enables users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, and get driving directions when they’re on the go
- Gmail for mobile devices: A new application that brings more speed, convenience, and functionality to the mobile Gmail experience.
Meanwhile, the Seattle PI reports Christopher Payne, the corporate vice president for Microsoft’s Live Search initiative, plans to launch a Seattle-based technology firm unrelated to the search business. Microsoft’s search site has lost market share since the company launched its own homegrown search in early 2005, attempting to challenge Google. However, Payne’s departure was described as a “personal decision” that he made “to go off and do something entrepreneurial.”
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