Skip to main content

AOL Intros New Mobile Search Services

At the CTIA wireless trade show this week in San Francisco, AOL is introducing a raft of new mobile services designed to get savvy mobile users relying on AOL for their mobile information and communications needs—and that, in turn, will help draw traffic to AOL’s content and digital advertising businesses. AOL’s new mobile offerings build off some of AOL’s strongest online properties, including AIM, AOL Email, AOL CityGuide, MapQuest, AOL Search, Moviefone, and Winamp—plus a WAP-enabled version of the AOL.com portal.

“We’ve listened to our users and are giving them more ways to tailor the AOL mobile experience just for them,” said AOL Mobile executive VP Scott Falconer, n a statement. “These new products reflect our commitment to being the mobile leader in offering users more engaging, easier to use, customized mobile experiences on their most personal of devices, their cell phones.”

The new mobile WAP version of the AOL.com portal offers access to AOL Mobile Search, AOL Email (which AOL says now offers faster performance and a better look and feel), and personalized news and information, like headlines, weather forecasts, and RSS feeds. Users can also tap into AOL Shopping, AOL CityGuide and MapQuest mapping services, and access a wide range of content.

The company also plans to roll out AOL MyMobile, a suite of mobile applications for Windows Mobile 6 which work together to provide native access to AOL services like AOL Email, AOL CityGuide, MapQuest, AOL Local Search, along with news, weather, and other content offerings. AOL says MyMobile’s applications work together to let users get what they want in the fewest number of clicks, and learns and remembers user favorite and recent requests to speed things along.

AOL also announced two new services for AIM users, Mobile AIM Short Code service and its AIM Buddy Finder Widget. The Mobile AIM Short Code service enables users on Verizon and Alltell networks to get AIM functionality via text messaging: users just text to the AIMAIM (246246) to access the new service. The AIM Buddy Finder mobile widget enables users to share their locations with AIM buddies from GPS enabled-phones: users will be able to plot their Buddies’ locations on MapQuest maps. The widget is currently available for download for Alltell subscribers; AOL plans to bring it to other carries (including Boost Mobile) soon.

AOL also announced a new edition if Winamp will also enable users to access videos stored on their home computers using mobile devices, and listen to music stored on their PCs or even game consoles like the Nintendo Wii. (Winamp remote currently enables user to tap into their PC music libraries remotely using their mobile phones.) Users will also be able to share streams with each other. Of course, standard data rates will likely apply to all this streaming—something that’s sure to keep mobile operators happy.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Google now wants you to scroll forever on its Search for mobile
google search mobile

Continuous scrolling is synonymous with social media sites seeking to keep you on their app/website. Whether it's Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook -- all of them offer continuous scrolling so that you stay on their service for as long as possible. Now, Google wants you to endlessly scroll search results on its Search page for mobile. The company says the new change will make "browsing search results more seamless and intuitive."

From the explanation that Google has provided on its blog, it looks like Search on mobile will showcase more related results to open-ended questions like "What to cook with potatoes?" instead of simply showing you the results from the second page of the Search.

Read more
T-Mobile takes big 5G coverage and speed wins in new report
T-Mobile smartphone.

T-Mobile is taking a victory lap today, after a new report by the independent analytics company Opensignal found T-Mobile won out in several key 5G categories against its competitors AT&T and Verizon.

T-Mobile came in first in a comparative writeup that measured the three leading cellular companies' 5G availability, reach, download speed, and upload speed in the United States. Verizon beat T-Mobile out on the 5G video, voice app, and games experiences; AT&T was shut out entirely and went home with a nice shiny "I tried" gold star.

Read more
Google’s Pixel 6 features new Pixel Pass subscription service to rival Apple One
Google Pixel 6 Image Composite.

Google is reportedly working on Pixel Pass, a subscription service for the most ardent Google superfans, according to tech YouTuber, Brandon Lee. From the description of the purported Pixel Pass, this is a financing option where Google offers users a fixed price to pay for a Pixel phone and a bundle of Google services all at once.

The concept recalls both Apple One and Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program, a service where Apple enthusiasts can purchase a bundle of all Apple services, from Apple News+ and Apple TV to Apple Music. This would do the same type of thing, bundling in YouTube Premium, Google One, Play Pass, Google Fi, and a Pixel phone to boot. There's also an extended warranty option with Preferred Care or Device Protection for those who want peace of mind. It's likely to be a U.S. exclusive, especially with the inclusion of a Fi subscription, but that's not been definitively confirmed.

Read more