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.”

Recommended Videos

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.

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…
Have T-Mobile? Your 5G service is about to get much faster
U.S. map illustrating T-Mobile's 5G Ultra Capacity network expansion.

T-Mobile’s 5G network already offers unmatched 5G speeds and coverage throughout the U.S., with 98% of the population covered by some flavor of T-Mobile’s 5G and more than 90% benefiting from its higher-speed 5G Ultra Capacity (5G UC) network.

That translates to the “Uncarrier” taking first place in 5G performance in 46 U.S. states. However, T-Mobile isn’t content to sit at 90% coverage. It’s been working steadily to increase the footprint of its 5G UC network to reach even further, and is bringing those top speeds to areas previously served only by its lower-frequency 5G Extended Range network.
A ‘Massive 5G Boost’

Read more
T-Mobile’s newest plans are exciting for new (and old) customers
The T-Mobile logo on a smartphone.

T-Mobile has just unveiled a new set of plans and perks to help both new and current customers break free of lengthy device contracts while guaranteeing you'll be able to get the best deals available on phone upgrades every two years.

Significantly, with the new plans, the "Un-carrier" promises equal treatment for all customers, whether they're coming over from another carrier or have been using T-Mobile's services for years. That's in contrast to the limited-time offers of its rivals, which often ignore their most loyal subscribers in an effort to entice others to switch carriers.

Read more
New Google privacy features fight phishing, scrub search results
Person using smartphone at home office desk beside open Chromebook.

Google is taking even more steps to help folks protect their privacy and keep their data secure.

At this year’s Google I/O conference, the company announced several new initiatives that will help folks lock down their Google accounts, remove unwanted information from search results, and control the advertising they see.
Keeping your information safe
Google wants you to know that it has teams working around the clock to combat cyber threats behind the scenes, but it’s also working to help people who use its services do their part to keep their data safe from hackers.

Read more