The search engine giant, Google wants to go beyond web pages and become a gateway for finding and paying for mobile media content. Google has developed a new search service for mobile phones, which will allow customers to find and buy ringtones, games and other mobile content.
The company is working with content providers, including large entertainment companies and small mobile-media companies to index their material and make it available through mobile search. Google has already partnered with the UK’s largest mobile operator, Vodafone to provide this service on mobile phones.
According to the Wall Street journal, Google’s next strategy is to launch mobile transaction service, which will allow users to pay for piece of mobile content like ringtones.
While according to technology-research and consulting firm Yankee Group, the sales of music, video, ringtones and content reached $27.4 billion last year, and it is expected to grow $59.3 billion by 2011.
Recently, the company has started testing of its AdSense platform on the Internet, which will broker ads for mobile web sites. The company has already unveiled a telephone based service, which allows users to dial a number and vocally request details for local business in American cities. The Google Voice Local Search uses voice-recognition technology to process queries and delivers answers using Google Maps.
To capture the mobile payment market, Microsoft has signed a deal with LG Electronics, Toshiba and Hewlett-Packard to build handsets, which will run on its Windows Mobile operating system. While Yahoo has signed deal with Nokia, Motorola, RIM, HTC, LG and Samsung, the handset manufacturers, to have its software on selected mobile handsets. Meanwhile, Google has partnered with T-Mobile, Motorola, RIM, Vodafone, Sony Ericsson and Nokia to provide its services on their handsets.
Image Credit: New Media
Via: Times Online
