Nokia introduces mobile search to its smartphones — MobileMonday Global: Industry News

^{Cooperation with local services} Nokia introduces mobile search to its smartphones

16 Aug 2005 at 04:01 GMT Timo Poropudas

Nokia has introduced a pioneering mobile search software solution that provides users with easy and fast access to leading search engines directly from their Nokia handset.

The current service and content providers incorporated in the search application include Eniro, Fonecta, Medio Systems, Yahoo!, Yell.com, as well as digital map solution provider AtlasCT and digital map data provider NAVTEQ.

“Introducing the search application together with the leading search engine providers brings one of the world’s most popular online activities - online search - to the fingertips of Nokia handset users,” said Harry Santamäki, Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Multimedia, Nokia.

“With this extremely straightforward and easy to use application, users can now expand the use of online search services beyond their desktops. Furthermore, what better than to be able to connect directly and immediately to the business or service you were looking for. The search application is truly the next best thing to having all of the world’s directories printed inside the mobile phone!”

The mobile search application is currently being piloted in the UK, Finland and Sweden. The application will be distributed in the standard sales packs of the Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681 and Nokia 6630 smartphones. Existing owners of these devices can download the search application for free from the Nokia website.

With the search engines integrated and easily accessible in just one application, users of Nokia smartphones can search for anything on the web, including websites, images, news and weather information, as well as mobile content, such as ring tones, games and wallpapers. Once something relevant, such as a website is found, the user can then immediately connect to see that site.

In addition to Yahoo! Search services, users in the UK, Finland and Sweden also have access to local business and service information providers, namely Yell.com in the UK, Eniro and Fonecta in Finland, and Eniro in Sweden. UK users will also be able to conduct content-based searches via Medio Systems.

The local search engines enable searching for local services or businesses - anything from restaurants and hotels to taxi numbers or flower shops. Results of local searches display the relevant contact data, and the user can instantly, with the push of a button, call the given telephone number or save it to contacts.

Moreover, with integrated mapping solutions from www.ABmaps.com portal by AtlasCT and digital map data from NAVTEQ, the results can be shown on a map, aiding users on the go to locate their destination. Users can also save and, for example, send the map as MMS to a friend.

When travelling between countries, the search application automatically offers to change to available local search engines. Users can also change the location setting manually, enabling a user to find the contact details, for example, of a hotel in another country in order to make a reservation for a future visit.