Originally published December 12 2005
Google Local launches for use on cell phones
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Google Local shows uses colorful, overhead views of chosen locations and can be used on more than 100 phones. The service is free, but users will need an internet data plan from their provider and the mobile version of Java.
Internet search giant Google introduces its first downloadable cell phone application on Monday, bringing its acclaimed map technology to phones.
With Google Local for mobile devices, users can get colorful, overhead views of a neighborhood and even check a hotel listing to see how close it is to the beach.
Unlike most new cell phone offerings that work on only a handful of phones, Google's application can be used on more than 100 current phones that use the mobile version of the Java programming language called J2ME.
That includes models from Cingular, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile.
Verizon's phones, BlackBerrys and Palm devices are not compatible.
Google's application and service is free, but users will need an Internet data plan from their cell phone provider, which adds $10 to $25 to monthly bills.
Google's search engine is available to cell phone users with an Internet data plan, but this is the first time Google has added graphics in a separate application to wireless devices.
Yahoo has a competing search and map program for mobile phones, heavy on text and light on graphics.
For most consumers, that's just fine, says Chris Sherman, the editor of the SearchDay blog.
Google's Local for mobile is "one of the slickest applications to come to cell phones," Sherman says.
"It's nice to have, especially if you're in a new city and don't know where you're going.
Using Google's local application on a mobile phone is a good deal more complicated than on the Web, unless you have a phone with a traditional QWERTY keyboard.
Users must switch a phone's numeric keyboard into letter mode and find the button on the phone that doubles as the "enter" button.
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