SCANLIFE 2D BARCODE APPLICATION NOW ON SPRINT CAMERA PHONES

Select Sprint phone users can now use the New York-based Scanbuy Inc’s ScanLife application to obtain information via 2D barcodes. Customers can scan a barcode and send it to a website via their Sprint phone to find information such as pricing, availability, and additional product information. “Sprint is excited to launch Scanbuy’s 2D barcode technology, which combines with the speed of the Now Network to give our customers a new way to access information they want the instant they want it,” said Len Barlik, VP of wireless and wireline services at Sprint. “Mobile barcode scanning promises to help customers quickly get to information and services.” ScanLife will be initially available on more than 30 Sprint camera phones. It can be downloaded by visiting www.getscanlife.com from the mobile browser or by texting “SCAN” to 70734. The 2D barcodes can be placed by companies or individuals on any physical media. For the creation of barcodes ScanLife also has a Code Management Platform at www.scanlife.com. Barcodes can also be linked to one’s contact information or social networking profiles. -Smarajit Dasgupta

REPORT: MICROSOFT NEARING MOBILE SEARCH DEAL WITH VERIZON WIRELESS

The Wall Street Journal reported citing sources that Microsoft is closing in on finalizing a mobile search deal with Verizon Wireless whereby Microsoft will become the default search provider on Verizon devices. The deal is said to be worth US$ 550 million to US$ 650 million over five years. Reportedly, this figure is nearly double of what rival Google has offered for the same deal. Microsoft is apparently also negotiating a deal with Verizon to distribute Windows Mobile software via more of the carrier’s devices. Combined worth of the two deals could be to the tune of US$ 1 billion. -Smarajit Dasgupta

ITSMY.COM CHOOSES TAPTU FOR MOBILE SEARCH

Mobile community itsmy.com has appointed Taptu to power mobile search and provide access to an index of mobile-friendly web content. itsmy.com, a brand of Gofresh GmbH, boasts of over two million users, who will now be able to access to a variety of content via Taptu including videos, music, images, and more. itsmy.com CEO Antonio Vince Staybl said, "We wanted to work with a company that really “gets” mobile and understands that desktop search isn't mobile search. Taptu is made for mobile and we love its unique and social way to search the mobile web." In addition to core search functionality, Taptu offers mobile search sponsored links to its mobile partners. Taptu mobile search can also be accessed at taptu.com on Internet-enabled mobile phones with a standard mobile browser and is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. Founded in 2007, Taptu is privately held with investors including 3i and Sofinnova. -Smarajit Dasgupta

LOCAL.COM BRINGS LOCAL MOBILE TO VIRGIN MOBILE NETWORK

Local.com has launched Local Mobile on the Virgin Mobile USA network offering the carrier’s more than five million customers access to Local Mobile directly from all 3G Virgin Mobile USA handsets. Local Mobile is an ad-supported local mobile site that provides users with access to directory services and search results for local businesses, products, and services. Local.com president and COO Bruce Crair said, “This partnership allows Virgin Mobile USA customers to easily access relevant local business information from their mobile devices, and is part of Local.com’s efforts to expand the reach of our Local Mobile product to consumers nationwide.” Local.com partnered with mobile community applications company Trilibis Mobile to develop and deploy Local Mobile. Features in Local Mobile include local business information based on “what” and “where” search; business profile pages with mapping; driving directions; click-to-call; listings sent to a mobile phone or device via SMS; and sorting of results by relevance, distance, or name. -Smarajit Dasgupta

HIOGI INTRODUCES COMMUNITY-BASED MOBILE Q&A SERVICE VIA SKYPE

hiogi has launched a mobile question and answer service "hiogi for Skype" that enables users to ask for advice by typing a question into their Skype chat window. "hiogi for Skype mobile is the easiest way to receive quick answers while traveling," said Bjoern Behrendt, CEO of hiogi. "It's like chatting with a good friend, who is always willing to help and who knows everything." Questions are answered by the online community. Users can register for free, add their Skype name on the site, and approve hiogi to be added in their contact list. Questions can be sent to hiogi directly on Skype by writing the keyword “ASK” before the question. Answers are accompanied by references or comments on the Skype chat window. A list of all functions can be requested by typing in the keyword HELP into the chat window. -Smarajit Dasgupta

RELEVANTADS.COM LAUNCHES MOBILE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

SEO firm Relevant Ads recently launched a mobile search business directory to coincide with the launch of T-Mobile G1 Google Android-powered phone. Relevant Ads founder and CTO David Rodecker said, "We launched our mobile directory to coincide with the launch of this device so that its users, and other mobile device users, can access our customer's business profiles on the Internet. Now, our customers will not only be found by people searching the Internet at home and work, but also while searching the Internet from anywhere on their mobile device." RelevantAds.com has included all of its existing local business customers in the new mobile business directory at no additional cost. It has also rolled out Google's Mobile Adwords program to its customer base. -Smarajit Dasgupta