NTT DoCoMo teams with Google on mobile search

Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and web services giant Google jointly announced a partnership to deliver search services, search-related advertisements and potential applications to the carrier's i-mode users. In addition to the existing i-mode menu site search service, DoCoMo subscribers will now be served Google search results for mobile and PC web sites via the new i-mode search-box, which will appear on the top-page of the i-mode portal. DoCoMo and Google will also collaborate to enhance the user-friendliness of i-mode services, promising to improve access to Google services easier via i-mode handsets, most likely by preloading the Google Maps application onto future device releases. The expanded search services are scheduled to launch in spring 2008; concurrent with the rollout, DoCoMo will also introduce keyword-based advertisements employing Google's AdWords platform.

Google and DoCoMo added they will continue studying new mobile marketing services; the two firms are also in discussions to bring to market handsets based on Google's fledgling Android mobile OS.

For more on the DoCoMo/Google deal:
- read this release

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