–Gmail For iPhone and Android: Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has improved its web-based Gmail service for the iPhone and Android devices. It has introduced a “floaty bar,” which appears when user select a message. It presents several options — like opening recently read messages and compose e-mails — even if the data network drops out. “All this is achieved with aggressive caching and by leveraging new browser technologies, like HTML5 and Gears. “The full impact of this new architecture isn’t visible yet, but it will enable us to significantly improve performance and quickly roll out new features in the near future,” reports the Google Mobile Blog, which includes a video demonstrating the new services. Google is also very upbeat on voice search. Google VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra: “We believe voice search is a new form of search and that it is core to our business,” reports the BBC.
— Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) Messenger on the iPhone: Yahoo has launched a version of its Messenger program for the iPhone in the US, joining other handsets such as BlackBerries and Sidekicks. The service allows the normal messaging services, including photo sharing, as well as a special idle state: “If you have to leave the app for whatever reason, like a call comes in or you click a link in an IM that takes you to Safari, the Yahoo! Messenger for iPhone app will keep you signed in but change your status to idle. That way you can continue to receive messages and provided you return to the app within ten minutes, pick up where you left off,” reports the Yahoo Messenger Blog, which gives a video demonstration.
— Where’s Waldo? On Your Mobile: Capcom has signed a deal with Classic Media to bring the Where’s Waldo? concept to mobiles in Europe and North America. The first game will be a brain-training game of the find-and-search theme epitomized by the books.
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