Google and Yahoo! mix it up with mobile

Not content with doing battle over the hearts, minds and page impressions of web users, Google and Yahoo! are getting ready to up their presence in the mobile phone market, and take advantage of the increasingly fast access speeds for mobile communications.

First up is Google, which is extending its Google Local service to mobile phones. The service allows you to search geographically for local shops and services, and display the results on a map. You will then be able to dial the number directly.  Google Local also provides driving directions.

It looks as though most modern phones will be able to make use of the service, as the only requirement is a web connection and Java support. Plus, those lucky Americans can also now access the Google Maps service on their internet-capable handsets, although there’s no news on a UK rollout yet.

Yahoo! is also keen to get into the action – so much so that it looks like a Yahoo!-branded mobile, manufactured by Nokia, will be appearing next year. At the moment, it’s only set for the States, but with 1.3megapixel camera and an MP3 player with expandable storage, it sounds like it could be a winner.