Mobile on the Mind: New Mobile Services from Cingular, Microsoft and JaJah (Jawho?)
|
Written By Kate Zimmermann | October 9, 2006 | Share This
|
|
A number of interesting mobile announcements.
Skip the GOOGL Text
Today Cingular signed a partnership deal with Tellme Networks, a voice-enabled directory assistance company. Cingular plans to develop a voice-based mobile search assistant that “will permit subscribers to ask questions for a broader set of queries than traditional directory lookup.” (via Screenwerk) News updates, sports listings, stock quotes, movie times, reviews, and other general info topics are rumored to be included, though Cingular has not yet released details of the project. The new DA will presumably cost the user about the same as dialing 411, but will increase per-call revenue for Cingular by discluding the human operator.
Follow the Leader
Like Google and Yahoo before it, Microsoft announced the launch of its pay-per-call service for mobile search. Thanks to a recent deal with Ingenio, Windows Live Search for Mobile will show paid listings on geotargeted searches. After signing with AOL last year, the Microsoft deal is Ingenio’s 2nd major distribution agreement. Thanks to a number of partnerships with smaller local engines, Ingenio’s steadily growing mobile advertiser and distributor networks are soon to rival those of Google and Yahoo.
Jah, Darling, Jah
European startup Jajah announced that they’re expecting to reach 1 million customers by the year’s end. Though priced similarly to Skype and other Voice-over-Internet-Protocol services, Jajah cuts out the typically-required middle machine. Users can make mobile and landline phone calls without going through a computer or downloading any software. While Jajah customers can call each other for free, out of network calls are also seriously discounted, thanks to Jajah’s backend technology. Their proprietary servers are partnered with over 200 carriers worldwide, so that all calls are made at local rates, but connected internationally via the Internet. Thanks to competitive rates and a full set of calling options, Jajah could pose a serious threat to Skype when their one-million-and-growing customer base reaches a tipping point.
Topics: Wireless & Mobile |