Sprint Handsets to Feature Easy Access to Google Mobile Search, Google Maps for Mobile, YouTube and More
Sprint (NYSE:S) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) today announced a partnership aimed at more deeply integrating Google applications and services into Sprint customers’ mobile experience. As part of the deal, Google™ will become Sprint’s preferred mobile search provider and Sprint users will have easier access to Google Maps™ for mobile, YouTube™ and more.
Sprint and Google are committed to providing users with the most dynamic mobile experience possible. Both companies have actively advocated the importance of an open mobile ecosystem and understand that users should have more choice when it comes to selecting and accessing content on a mobile phone.
“Our partnership with Google is a great example of how Sprint is making the mobile Internet experience even more customer-friendly and useful to our customers,” said Kevin Packingham, vice president of product management at Sprint. “Sprint looks forward to extending its partnership with Google, and to bringing customers a mobile experience enhanced by the speed of the Now Network, complimented by the services of Google.”
“Google and Sprint have a lot in common when it comes to our vision for the mobile web,” said Doug Garland, vice president of product management at Google. “We both believe in openness and providing compelling, easy-to-use mobile services that consumers can use every day. We look forward to working together to deliver a great experience.”
With some capabilities available as soon as this summer, the partnership with Google and Sprint offers Sprint customers:
- Google mobile search: Google will become the default search provider for web search and local search (GPS-enabled) on the Sprint portal on customers’ current web-enabled Sprint phones as well as new devices. On select new devices later this year, Sprint customers will be able to bring up a Google search box on their device’s home screen, providing them with one-click access to Google mobile search.
- Google Maps for mobile: Also featured on new Sprint handsets and available on some current smart phones will be Google Maps for mobile, an application that enables users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, get driving directions and view real-time traffic information when they’re on the go.
- YouTube: With this new partnership, millions of fun and interesting YouTube videos — as well as all the user’s favorites, videos and channels — will be accessible from select new Sprint handsets.
- Location-enabled search and maps: Sprint will also enable users to take advantage of location data for Google search and Google Maps for mobile, making it even easier for users to discover what’s around them and then figure out how to get there.
Going forward, Sprint and Google will continue to explore ways to provide users with compelling mobile experiences and more application choices.
Today’s announcement extends the two companies’ collaborative history. In November 2006, Sprint and Google made Gmail™ available from the Sprint portal. Late last year, Sprint joined Google as a founding member of the Open Handset Alliance™, which is currently developing the Android™ open mobile platform. And earlier today, the two companies announced that they would contribute to the formation of Clearwire, a company focused on building the first nationwide mobile WiMAX network.
About Sprint
Sprint offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving approximately 54 million customers at the end of 2007; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com.
About Google Inc.
Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit http://www.google.com.
Google, Google Maps, Android, Gmail, Open Handset Alliance and YouTube are trademarks of Google Inc. in the United States and / or other countries. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
