Link: Local data is sent to cellphones by Yahoo – International Herald Tribune
Yahoo has introduced a new Internet search system for cellphone users that delivers locally relevant answers, a move that vaults it ahead of what Google now offers.
Starting in the United States, with international markets to follow later this year, the company in Sunnyvale, California, said it planned to take advantage of the inherently local nature of many Web searches performed on phones.
“We are now putting search on every mobile phone that has a browser,” said Marco Boerries, senior vice president of Yahoo’s Connected Life business unit. “We are delivering the results consumers want with just one search, not a list of Web links.
I’ve been rather critical of Yahoo’s mobile search recently so I am quite excited to see what they’ve dreamt up. I’ll see if I can try and give the American version a go.
I really like Yahoo’s new design, though I’m still a big fan of Google Local. So, I opt for the combo platter…
Tappity.com allows users to create a customized mobile homepage that contains Google searches, Yahoo links, and a long list of other mobile-friendly websites. You can mix n’ match.
Note: The beta release of Tappity requires a US Zip Code — something that will be removed once out of beta. In the meantime, you can enter any 5-digit number. The zip code is used to give localized results for some searches (like Google Local).
I like Yahoo’s new design also, but, the fundamental issue is getting users to sign on for these services. While I think Yahoo’s UIs are a step in the right direction I believe the carrier operators have to start pushing these new products and services with some marketing legerdemain which heretofore is conspicuously lacking. The operators keep throwing the ball into the content and service providers court and expect us to carry the promotional load; and, it’s no wonder- they don’t give a crap yet!