Google will be the default start-page in all upcoming DoCoMo full-browser capable handsets.
The two companies have formed a partnership that also includes providing search services, search-related ads and potential applications to i-mode users. The alliance between the two was first reported by ME in December.The new Google search-box will be placed on the top-page of the i-mode portal. Key-word ads using Google's AdWords platform will be provided on the search-result pages. The two companies will also collaborate to enhance the user-friendliness of i-mode services, with the default pre-loading of Google Maps being discussed. Launch of the expanded search services is scheduled for spring 2008.
Further ahead, the parties are also planning to make it easier for i-mode users to use Google services such as Gmail. YouTube, and Picasa.
The mission is obviously to unseat Yahoo as (arguably) the market leader in mobile search in Japan. Google and DoCoMo are also partners in the Android project, with the operator signed up to the Mobile Handset Alliance.
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