Yahoo continued its aggressive mobile push as the web services giant announced the summer 2008 launch of oneSearch 2.0, an expansion of its mobile search service enabling users to initiate queries via text or voice. Marco Boerries, executive vice president of Yahoo's Connected Life division, announced the oneSearch upgrades during a keynote appearance Wednesday at CTIA Wireless 
2008, and said the company will open the search platform to publishers to stimulate content integration, simplify search input and make search instantly accessible on device idle screens. "We want to create indispensable mobile services for everyday people--the kinds of services people use many times a day," Boerries said. "We believe the mobile opportunity is
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AOL announced the beta launch of AOL MyMobile, a new application promising users simplified access to AOL web services on wireless devices--the company also introduced enhancements to its AOL Mobile Search, including support for Research In Motion's BlackBerry platform and a forthcoming version optimized for Apple iPhone's, as well as an extension of its AIM TXT shortcode across all major U.S. carriers. Developed by on-device portal technology provider Action Engine, AOL MyMobile delivers personalized access to services including AIM, AOL Mail, AOL CityGuide, MapQuest, AOL Local Search, AOL News, Weather, AOL Sports and AOL Pictures. According to AOL, features like drop-down lists and intuitive menus enable easy scrolling through applications and content, with the software learning and remembering user favorites
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AOL announced the beta launch of AOL MyMobile, a new application promising users simplified access to AOL web services on wireless devices--the company also introduced enhancements to its AOL Mobile Search, including support for Research In Motion's BlackBerry platform and a forthcoming version optimized for Apple iPhone's, as well as an extension of its AIM TXT shortcode across all major U.S. carriers. Developed by on-device portal technology provider Action Engine, AOL MyMobile delivers personalized access to services including AIM, AOL Mail, AOL CityGuide, MapQuest, AOL Local Search, AOL News, Weather, AOL Sports and AOL Pictures. According to AOL, features like drop-down lists and intuitive menus enable easy scrolling through applications and content, with the software learning and remembering user favorites
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Cross-platform mobile advertising firm Millennial Media announced an agreement with Verizon Wireless to add the bulk of the operator's mobile advertising inventory to its two networks, MBrand (for targeted audiences across premium content) and Decktrade (for performance-driven campaigns). Per terms of the deal, Millennial Media will deliver targeted campaigns to Verizon mobile web users, promising a variety of advertisers and offers.
Related articles:Millennial Media scores $15 million in Series BMillennial expands mobile ad offering
Cross-platform mobile advertising firm Millennial Media announced an agreement with Verizon Wireless to add the bulk of the operator's mobile advertising inventory to its two networks, MBrand (for targeted audiences across premium content) and Decktrade (for performance-driven campaigns). Per terms of the deal, Millennial Media will deliver targeted campaigns to Verizon mobile web users, promising a variety of advertisers and offers.
Related articles:Millennial Media scores $15 million in Series BMillennial expands mobile ad offering
Satellite company ICO Global Communications announced plans to deploy a GEO satellite on April 14 that will deliver a satellite-hybrid terrestrial network using mobile TV technology DVB-SH. After the satellite is launched, the company plans to begin market trials in Las Vegas and Raleigh-Durham in mid-2008 of what it calls ICO MIM, Mobile Interactive Media.
The trials will focus on three areas: entertainment using DVB-SH for mobile TV services, guidance services that will include real-time traffic data and social networking applications and assistance services, which will offer OnStar-like roadside services.
Initially, the service will consist of a "set-top box in the trunk" to deliver these services, said Tim Bryan, CEO of ICO during an Alcatel-Lucent press briefing here at CTIA.
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Digital commerce software and managed services provider Valista announced its Operator Payment Service will enable off-deck premium content transactions for U.S. Cellular. According to Valista, the service connects U.S. Cellular with both external aggregators and content providers, promising the carrier's subscribers will enjoy expanded access to mobile content and active participation in interactive services like text voting. The Operator Payments Service will also provide support for post-purchase operations like refunds and credits, allowing for end-to-end visibility of transactions and increasing the percentage of successful purchases while reducing service costs via authentication and authorization, subscription license and refund management and automated contract mediation.
Related article:mBlox teams with Valista on mobile billing
How the Vodafone Group CEO kicked off the second day of CTIA Wireless 2008. FierceWireless CTIA Live
> iPhone browser update imminent. Article
> uLocate to utilize Navteq map data for WHERE platform and Buddy Beacon. Release
> Bell Mobility adds HBO content. Article
And finally… King Kong busted on drug rap. Article
The U.S. wireless subscriber market now totals in excess of 255 million--roughly 84 percent of the nation's population--according to new metrics released by industry group CTIA in concert with its CTIA Wireless 2008 event in Las Vegas. According to CTIA, U.S. subscribers now consume more than 2 trillion minutes of airtime a year and send and receive more than 48 billion text messages per month. Combined data revenues now total about $23 billion a year, accounting for 17 percent of total carrier revenue. "These numbers illustrate the incredible volume of traffic carriers successfully manage every day," said CTIA president and CEO Steve Largent during Tuesday's keynote.
- Click here to see our keynote
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