InternetVerizon May Switch To Google for Mobile Searches (NewsFactor)

NewsFactor - According to a report in Thursday's Wall Street Journal, Verizon is on the verge of a deal with Google to provide Web-search services on its wireless network. The ubiquitous Google search bar is already on the iPhone and on a number of Sprint PCS phones.

According to a report in Thursday's Wall Street Journal, Verizon is on the verge of a deal with Google to provide Web-search services on its wireless network. The ubiquitous Google search bar is already on the iPhone and on a number of Sprint PCS phones. The deal would give Verizon users a one-stop search screen rather than the layered searches they have today. The state of mobile search is chaotic, as each carrier has implemented its own structure and service. Many users already bypass the carrier search interfaces and log onto Google and Yahoo with phone browsers. Chris Ambrosio, director of wireless strategies at Strategy Analytics, a worldwide analyst firm, said, "[Wireless] operators need to do more for their customers if they ever hope to monetize the wireless search market." He said it makes sense for Verizon to team up with Google, as the search giant already has experience in the wireless market. Who Owns the Data is Key Reportedly Google and Verizon have been in discussions for nearly a year, with ad revenue and search data retention the key sticking points. Although ad revenue is a paltry $200 million across the entire mobile market now, according to industry estimates, that will increase exponentially if wireless users have better search tools. Enter Microsoft, Google and Yahoo. Verizon is rumored to have flirted with using Microsoft's search capabilities... [ Read more on www.yahoo.com ]

InternetVerizon, Google close to mobile search deal: report (Reuters)

Reuters - Mobile service provider Verizon Communications Inc. is nearing an agreement with Google Inc. on a wide-ranging partnership, the Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the situation.

Internet'Green' Gadgets? Or Greenwashing

If you actually want to help the environment, then buy consumer electronics that are super high-end and built to last.