Google vs Yahoo war goes textual

This time Yahoo and Google take the war to a new battlefield, the short messaging service, writesPuneet Mehrotra

Was it fifteen or more? I have lost count. The war continues. It's been almost three years and the battle for supremacy continues. This time Yahoo and Google take the war to a new battlefield, the short messaging service.

Yahoo SMS Search

July 8, 2005, Yahoo announces the launch of  Yahoo SMS Search. It also enhances Yahoo Search on Mobile across a number of additional mobile devices. By sending a SMS message to YAHOO, mobile users can sift through content from a variety of search options. Weather reports, dictionary definitions, and local business listings can be found quickly. Yahoo SMS search is designed to let people get specific information they seek and it also enables them to use shortcuts on the keypad to make it faster. For example, typing in 'w' and the ZIP code will retrieve a short weather forecast. 

Yahoo's enhanced search function, called Yahoo Search on Mobile, expands its search services to a number of WAP 2.0 handsets by translating full pages to fit on consumers' mobile phones. Before, the full Web search was available only on HTML-capable mobile devices.

Google SMS Search

July 11, 2005, 24-hours later Google launches its own mobile Search service - Google SMS Search. Google SMS (Short Message Service) enables you to send queries as text messages from your mobile phone or device and easily get precise answers to your questions. No links. No web pages. Just text - and the information you're looking for:

- Get local business listings when you're on the road and want to find a place to eat.
- Obtain driving directions to get from point A to point B without having to ask for directions.
- Get quick answers to straightforward questions.
- Compare online product prices with ones you find on the high street.
- Look up dictionary definitions to expand your vocabulary or prove a point.
- Solve math problems such as converting to metric units.

Common Yet Different

Different services yet the principle is the same. Send an SMS with the keyword you are interested in and you will receive an answer. Shortcuts differ and the services require one to learn a few shortcuts.

According to softpedia.com the major differences show up when searching. Google SMS Search tries to return results as simple and clear as possible, while Yahoo SMS Search offers many details on a certain keyword.

In fact softpedia.com gives a thumbs up to Google. It says, 'Considering the various features offered by Google SMS Search, especially the US version, we could say that this service is much more interesting than Yahoo SMS Search.'

The Giants Battle

Google, Yahoo or MSN? Take your bet. It's been almost three years and the battle continues. From portal to email to search the giants battle. SMS maybe have been a minor missile but it fits well in the big picture especially when the Search Empire of the mighty Google is threatened. Is SMS a part of a bigger plan by Yahoo to strike at the heart of the Google Search empire? Let's wait and watch.

(Puneet Mehrotra is a web strategist at www.websitepromotion.in and edits www.MidnightEdition.com you can email him on puneet@cyberzest.com)