New Article - Google Targets Cell Phone Users

[thejenn]

Full Text: http://www.searchengineguide.com/laycock/004056.html

Some Snippets:

"Mountain View, California based Google announced a new search tool aimed at mobile phone users earlier today. Services are currently limited to users in the United States and Canada. "

"While XHTML based mobile devices are still not particularly common, the move could target early adopters and cause word of mouth advertising that will lead new users to the service as XHTML becomes more widespread with future phones. "

[BioAid]

Hi Jenn, I enjoyed your article. I'm curious about how well xhtml is likely to do. The first question is how common support for xhtml is on cell phones currently in use. Can you provide answers or direct me to a good source for this information.


The second question is whether performance varies between phone models and carriers or plans. I've had some exposure to Qualcom's BREW and J2ME so I wonder if these types of environments play a role in enhancing performance.

The third is how much extra it costs if anything.

Thanks for any suggestions or info.

BioAid

[Robert]

Welcome to the forum BioAid!

[thejenn]

The first question is how common support for xhtml is on cell phones currently in use.

Seems I've read that some 98% of cell phones currently on the market are web enabled...but I don't know any definate numbers for you...a good Google search would probably turn up some data though...

The second question is whether performance varies between phone models and carriers or plans.

I would think that this is certainly the case. I've used web services on several phones and with several carriers and notice a definate difference in performance, speed, etc...

The third is how much extra it costs if anything.

This is going to vary depending on the phone and service company that you use.

On this subject though, my husband made a good point earlier this evening. We were talking about building table-less web sites using CSS and he said that another advantage of using CSS powered layouts with your text at the top of the code is that cell phones that are web enabled will pick up the text first and cell phone users will have an easier time reading your content.