SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 03-05-2008 Part II
Abstract: 1. Vodafone Tests Image Search for Mobile Phones, 2. Google and Microsoft Data Centers In Iowa, 3. Tata Building Large WiMax Network in India
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
11:12 pm on Mar. 5, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Wednesday March 5, 2008
Vodafone Tests Image Search for Mobile Phones
Vodafone is testing a service called Otello, a search engine that returns information in response to a picture submission. Otello takes an image, such as a picture from a book or billboard, retrieves information about it, and sends it to the user’s cell phone. Vodafone is hoping that Otello will catch on with users that do not have normal keyboards on their mobile device, who will find it more convenient to take a picture than to enter search terms. Vodafone had no comment on whether Otello will be used in more than the present trial which it is conducting with a German newspaper.
Iowa may soon be home to not just one, but two of the largest Internet search companies in the world. A Google Data Center, which will house thousands of servers, is approaching the mid-point of a two year construction project taking place in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Moreover, in a move to persuade Microsoft to also execute a data center in Iowa, The House voted to update the state’s business incentives to exempt electricity and capital investments from the state’s sales tax. The package is likely to be quickly approved in the Senate, with supporters hoping Microsoft chooses Iowa which could make the state a hub for the information technology business.
Retail and enterprise customers in India can expect easier access to speedy wireless broadband services, since Tata communications has announced plans to connect 200,000 customers in a total 125 cities using WiMax by March 2009. The company expects to invest $500 million in the venture, which will increase India’s underserved broadband Internet access. WiMax will enable India to maintain economic growth, especially with regards to fostering opportunity for technology companies, so India is not left behind in the global wireless race.
11:12 pm on Mar. 5, 2008 (utc 0)