12th Feb 2007 07:02
Vodafone Group Plc12 February 2007 12 February 2007 VODAFONE LIVE! TO OFFER GOOGLE(TM) MAPS FOR MOBILE ALONGSIDE GOOGLE SEARCH Vodafone and Google intend to develop a location-based version of Google Mapsfor mobile to add to the growing portfolio of internet-based services that areenhancing the mobile experience for Vodafone customers. Google Maps for mobile, a downloadable java application, is expected to offercustomers in selected markets easy-to-use maps and local listings, as well aslocal search and navigation capabilities. Customers will be able to enjoyunlimited use of Google Maps for mobile, subject to Vodafone data tariffs. Google and Vodafone are working together to ensure the service providescustomers on selected handsets with an automatic user-location capability. Today's announcement is another example of how Vodafone is working to bring asuite of the most popular brands and services from the internet to the mobilephone. By integrating Google Maps for mobile into its services, Vodafone intendsto offer customers a powerful tool to help them find local services whereverthey are. "Vodafone sees Google Maps as a new milestone in the relationship that bothcompanies are developing. It is a prime example of how Vodafone, throughits location service and distribution scale, can complement Google's productsand unlock mass-market access to exciting services," said Frank Rovekamp, GlobalChief Marketing Officer of Vodafone. "Our goal as a company is to help people find information they're looking for,so giving Vodafone customers the chance to find out where they are going whileon the move is a very important step. Google Maps for mobile gives people aneasy way of finding directions via a mobile phone. I am delighted that Vodafoneintends to offer it to their customers. It is one example of how our twocompanies are working together on technology that helps people manageinformation online and on the go," said Nikesh Arora, Vice President, EMEAOperations, Google. The announcement comes as Vodafone introduces functionality in various marketsto enable its customers to search for and find information they are looking forwhile on the move, with the integration of Google search technology into itsmobile service. The search service launched in Hungary in December 2006 and is aimed to berolled out in other key European markets throughout the rest of the year. Forming part of Vodafone's multimedia portal Vodafone live!, search technologyfrom Google will enable customers to access both on-portal and off-portal sitesin the wider mobile internet. The integration of Google technology also means an enhanced internet experience,making off-portal pages more accessible and relevant for handset screen sizes.Customers will therefore only be presented with services, such as games, thatare compatible with their handsets. - ends - About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's leading international mobile telecommunications groupwith equity interests in 25 countries across 5 continents as at 31 December2006, as well as 35 partner networks. By the end of January, Vodafone announcedit had over 200 million proportionate customers worldwide. For furtherinformation, please visit www.vodafone.com For Further Information Vodafone Group Media Relations+44 1635 664444 (c) Vodafone Group 2007. VODAFONE, the Vodafone logos and Vodafone live!, aretrade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentionedherein may be the trade marks of their respective owners. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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