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Google in talks with mobile firm Orange
Internet search giant Google and mobile telecoms firm Orange are in discussions over the possibility of a joint venture into mobile internet, according to the Observer.The newspaper reports that talks have taken place about the possibility of launching a mobile phone pre-loaded with Google applications, allowing for quicker access to the internet.
Despite the introduction of third generation mobile phones the uptake of mobile data services still remains small, with consumers often frustrated by the time it takes to find and access information and mobile advertising stilted for the same reason.
"There are numerous situations in which people say, 'I wish I had Google in my hand'," admitted Tony Cooper, a telecoms analyst at consultancy Deloitte, to the Observer.
"If I was Orange, I'd want to get a share of the ad click-through revenues; if I was Google, I'd want a share of the airtime revenue. The potential stumbling block is if it's clunky and hard to use," he added.
A source who spoke to the newspaper said the new offering would involve new progress Google has made in data compression, allowing quicker and more intuitive mobile internet access.
Google's search rival Yahoo is also moving into the mobile data market, with a recent advertising agreement signed with Vodafone in the UK and a worldwide agreement with Nokia to offer Yahoo applications on some new phones.
Google News posted on 18 December 2006
