Orange has signed a multi-year strategic agreement with Google to bring Google Mobile App to mobile customers in Europe. This partnership, combining the best in content and search innovation from both partners, is making mobile search and geo-location services accessible by giving customers access to Google Mobile App through the Orange homescreen.
The companies said that the application provides enhanced search features and access to the Orange mobile portal and other familiar Google products and services.
Raoul Roverato, executive vice-president for new growth business at Orange, said: This partnership will also let us give customers direct access to the best Google applications across a large part of our Signature portfolio, combining the strength of two leading brands to create and deliver the kind of content people want to find and use on their mobile.
Orange said that it plans to launch Google Mobile App across its footprint in a phased approach and is expected to deliver it across a range of Orange Signature phones. It is giving customers access to Google Search from the homescreen on Signature Android handsets, besides other services such as Orange TV. In the UK and France, Google mobile search results are expected to include relevant content from Orange’s own mobile portal.
From October, the Orange Signature Android series, including LG Eve (France, Spain), HTC Tattoo (France, UK, Spain) and HTC Hero (France) will also feature services such as Orange Email Wizard that lets users set up and use chosen mobile email services.
According to Orange, in the later phase, Google Mobile App will be made available to Signature devices operating on Symbian S60, RIM and Microsoft’s Windows Mobile. On these platforms the application will include links to services such as Orange mobile portal, Google News, Google Maps and Google Mail.
Vic Gundotra, vice-president of engineering at Google, said: Google Mobile App makes it easier than ever for people to find and use information that matters to them when they’re on the move. Partnering with Orange is a great opportunity for us to provide their customers across Europe with instant access to the web.
