Move over, iPhone–the Gphone has arrived. After months of Internet-fueled speculation and hype, T-Mobile Tuesday unveiled the G1 mobile phone powered by Google’s Android operating system and bundled with Google software including search, Gmail, Maps, and YouTube.
Google may be in talks with Verizon about a possible mobile search deal. It has become apparent to mobile service carriers and technology companies that these types of deals can be beneficial for both parties. AT&T and Apple set a prescedent with their groundbreaking deal prior to the release of the iPhone, and now many other mobile service carriers and technology companies are attempting to follow in their footsteps.
Audi will become the first automaker to land a branded application on the iPhone later this year. The iPhone application will allow users to take the new 2009 A4 on simulated driving courses. The free download uses the same motion sensor to steer that changes perspective when you turn the iPhone. This seems like a very unique way to use mobile applications to engage potential customers with the unveiling of the luxury car.
Imagine, walking into a networking function at a large conference and knowing everyone’s name, job function and company before introducing yourself to a single person… knowing who is looking for a job, looking to hire and knowing who is just set out to network and build relationships… being able to associate faces with names of people you have never met… being able to introduce yourself to several people without actually speaking a word.
It would appear that Apple’s iPhone is the missing piece to the Mobile Search puzzle. A host of new applications have recently been released bridging the gap between local search and mobile. One of these applications, The Find: Where to Shop, has capabilities that allow in store shopping research such as price comparisons, alternative store locations, sales information, in-store availability and product proximity searches.
For more information on The Find’s iPhone application release, click here.
Google recently added another new feature to its Maps application. Now, not only can you get driving directions, but you can get walking directions as well. This is especially handy for those who are looking for directions in an urban area. It is expected that this feature will soon be available on the iPhone as well. When added, it is expected to be especially handy to those already on the go.
Now that the first quarter 2008 numbers are in, one thing is certain: Google owns mobile search. This news comes after Nielson Mobile released its data on the mobile market. With 61% of the mobile search market cornered, Google dominated the mobile search market the first four months of 2008.
So what can we chalk this domination up to? Google is chalking it up to being the factory default on the iPhone. It seems that while smart phones have been around for awhile now, Google’s data indicates people are searching the internet more with their iPhones than any other smart phone. Who would have guessed a fully supported HTML browser would revolutionize the mobile search marketplace?