AOL Enters Mobile Search Fray

AOL is testing a web search for mobile phones. It’s partnering with InfoGin to offer the AOL Search service, Pinpoint Shopping Search and AOL Yellow Pages on any WAP-enabled phone. Using keywords, searchers receive a list of results to scroll through and can read the Web pages by clicking on a link. “It will have the same layout as on AOL Search on the desktop,” Bhise said.
As Reuters wrote, “the test of AOL Mobile Search Services is an attempt to move away from the computer, where its position as the dominant Internet provider is being undermined as users defect to cable operators and telephone companies offering high-speed Internet access.” AOL is increasingly looking to redefine itself as a company, as fewer and fewer people want what the old one offered. The company received a lot of praise for the way it handled the digital broadcast of the Live 8 concert and its busy opening up its portal to non-AOL users. As the digital arm of a large media company (Time Warner) the company is making several moves into the mobile phone space, possibly as a way to retain customers leaving its internet service for greener pastures…it’s already in the process of offering mobile access to its AOL Pictures service
Related stories:
Warner Bros Considers Mobile Brand
AOL To Launch Mobile Radio Soon
AOL Testing Mobile Browsing, Search

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