Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) is opening a second front on its war to beat other search services from the desktop to the handset. The company already offers a version of its primary search service which works on mobile devices. But, its latest technology will allow users to search a large library of ringtones, games, and other services which they can then purchase. Google will probably offer premium positions on the search page that will be sold to make the company money.
According to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Google has been working with content providers for several months to index their products.
The new service will be troubling to two sets of companies. Cell service providers like AT&T (NYSE: T) already offer ways for their customers to buy products like ringtones. And, the cell companies keep a piece of that purchase. The Google operation can by-pass that and allow consumers to use its own CheckOut service to buy content.
The other group of companies that should be troubled by this are existing search companies like Ask (NASDAQ: IACI) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). Each compelling new product that Google puts on handsets gives it a foothold in the market and pushes it closer to the dominant position it has on the desktop.
Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.
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Where have all the consumers gone?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-17-2007 @ 9:24AM
Swampthing said...
What consumer / mobile web user does not want the ability to interact with products everywhere we go?
Why not in ‘one click’ or say the keyword, logo, trademark, slogan and be directed to the mobile web page to get further information?
First, Why type?
Second, Advertising with the greatest, PC search engine (Google), can be so much more than clicking banners and receiving unwanted useless information on your mobile device.
Why not bill the brands to avoid click fraud. Give the web user and consumer the greatest tool to navigate the physical world?
Qode
Isn’t ‘one click navigation’ less time searching?
How can Google do mobile better??????
I would rather just 'qode' it.
What happens if Microsoft sees this?
I think that Neomedia Technologies has developed a killer mobile application that could beat Goggle mobile search.
Now how many companies are going to want to own the Universal Reader? HP, Goggle, Microsoft, or Apple just to name a few.