Google to become the default search provider for Sprint

Google, in an attempt to further strengthen its position in the mobile market, has taken its relationship with Sprint to the next level. From now on, Sprint users will be able to access Google applications more easily than ever.

1. Google will become the default search provider in Sprint’s portal. Also, Sprint plans to add a Google search box to the screen of a chosen few devices so that users will be able to access Google with a single click.

2. Google will also be the default provider of GPS enabled local search for Sprint users.

3. Google Maps for mobile will be available on Sprint handsets. Using this, users will be able to access live traffic information, get direction assistance for driving, view roadmaps, find local businesses, and also view satellite imagery, which is a specialty of Google.

4. Google’s YouTube will be available on new Sprint handsets. Needless to say, this will probably be the most accessed application of Google in Sprint handsets.

Sprint has been one company which has always stood by Google and it’s not surprising at all that they’ve got into such a deal. If you remember, Sprint was one of the first companies to make Gmail available in its portal about a couple of years back. Also, Sprint is a part of Google’s Open Handset Alliance.

In my opinion, this is a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. Google will gain a stronghold in the mobile market by reaching out to a lot of customers and Sprint will be able to offer a lot of choices and a richer mobile experience for its users.

Categories: Google, All things mobile phones.

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The road ahead for mobile videos

There is a lot of talk about mobile video and how it could be the next big thing and so on. But there are two primary issues that stand in the way of mobile videos.

1. While watching videos might be a cool experience on Apple iPhone or a Nokia N95, it may not be so in a low-end mobile phone with a tiny little screen. Unfortunately, the number of high-end phones in the market is very low when compared to the number of low-end phones.

2. Most of the data plans available with carriers today are quite costly and a normal mobile user might think twice before going for a video plan, as it might add a substantial amount to his otherwise normal mobile bill.

Interestingly, mobile video has been popular in Asia and Europe. The reasons are not hard to find. High-end mobile phone penetration in the Asian market is high and data plans are not as costly as they are in the US. Also, carriers in Europe and Asia have been proactive in implementing a lot of ideas to encourage mobile advertising as it might boost their revenues. In fact, carriers in Europe have even gone to the extent of offering mobile phone porn, or simply mobile porn, to customers which has resulted in large number of customers opting for mobile video plans which offer porn content.

While I certainly don’t expect porn from carriers in the US, I do hope they do something to make mobile videos affordable for subscribers. Already, a large number of high-end mobile users don’t rely on their carriers for mobile videos, as they can access it easily on websites like YouTube, MySpace, and Mywaves, all of which are easily accessible from a high-end phone. So, carriers need to come up with affordable mobile video subscription plans to tap this market that can boost their revenue considerably.

Categories: Cell Phone Advertising, All things mobile phones.

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A possible Google - Microsoft/Yahoo face off?

Now that everyone is talking about Microsoft’s proposed buyout of Yahoo!, I thought of going back in time and taking a peek at the rivalry between Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft. Surprisingly, they go neck to neck in all areas and while Google is the dominant one as of now, you just cannot say who will win the war. Assuming the Microsoft –Yahoo! deal does go out well and give a huge competition to Google, let me point out the strengths and weaknesses of both sides.

Microsoft bought MessageCast Inc, which is an automated alerting and messaging services firm, while Google was talking about its much-hyped Android platform.

Google bought Marratech, a video conferencing software firm, to compete with Microsoft’s Unified Communications.

Microsoft bought ScreenTonic, a mobile advertising solutions firm, to compete with Google ad solutions.

Google bought YouTube for a whopping $1.65 billion and captured a huge share of the market. Later, Microsoft came up with Soapbox to compete with YouTube but failed miserably.

Google bought Picasa, a photo management software, to set its foot in the market. Later, Yahoo! acquired both Ludicorp and Flickr and has become the market leader in photo sharing.

Google bought Where2 Mapping software to compete with Yahoo Maps, but couldn’t succeed as Yahoo! still remains the market leader.

In the internet space, it’s even more interesting. While Google is the clear winner in the internet search market, leaving Yahoo Search and MSN Search in the lurch, Yahoo Mail is a little ahead of both Gmail and Hotmail. Also, GTalk is giving serious competition to both Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger.

Then, Google made history with its acquisition of DoubleClick for an astronomical $3.1 billion. Now, with its proposed buyout, Microsoft could make history if it does buy Yahoo! for $44.6 billion.

If the acquisition were to happen, it would mean huge competition for Google, no doubt about that. Thanks to the intense competition, both sides will go out of their way to please their customers and retain/expand their market share. In other words, it’s going to be good times for us, customers.

Categories: Google, All things mobile phones, Yahoo, Microsoft.

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Google partners with Japan’s topmost mobile carrier

Japan’s top mobile carrier, NTT DoCoMo, has partnered with Google to enable Google apps on its mobile phones. Incidentally, it is one of Google’s partners in the Open Handset Alliance. The company has its own mobile internet service called I-mode, which is very popular with mobile users in Japan. From now on, Google will be made the default search engine for people who use I-mode and Google ads will also appear alongside the search results. In due course of time, NTT DoCoMo plans to add Google Maps and YouTube also.

More importantly, the company is planning to develop a mobile phone that will support Google Android. Considering the fact that Google Android platform is not a fully developed one, this is a huge support from the top mobile carrier in Japan and also, this was just the kind of support Google was looking for from mobile carriers, especially the ones in its Open Handset Alliance. So, Google might well as be happy with these developments.

Categories: Cell Phone Advertising, Google.

1 comment.

YouTube Mobile

By now, it’s clear to everyone around the world that a YouTube account is the most important thing in the online world, only next to a mail id. I was actually wondering how YouTube hasn’t done anything to improve its presence on mobile phones despite having millions of users in the world who use their mobile phones to access YouTube. After all, we all know that a lot of people shoot videos in their mobile phone and upload them in YouTube, all in a matter of minutes. With this being the case, it was essential for YouTube to do something which will actually boost the number of mobile users who browse YouTube from their mobile phones. It has done it, finally.

YouTube announced a few days back that its service will be extended to a wide range of mobile phones. As of now, a majority of YouTube users still depend on high-speed internet to stream videos. This, however, will change soon as YouTube will come up with a service that will make streaming videos on mobile phone much easier, in fact just as easy as doing so in the internet. Handsets from Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and LG can support this service and what more, this service will be available in 11 languages and in 17 countries, making it easier for international YouTube users.

Categories: All things mobile phones, Mobile Web.

1 comment.

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