Another Google purchase in mobile.
I knew Reqwireless from way back in 2002 or something like that - the really early days of Series 60. It was the first real browser for Series 60 (the better browsers didn't show up until the 6600).
The article below has some thoughts about why they were bought out, but I think it has to do with creating a small app that allows Google to serve ads. Maybe an email client for Gmail or a browser (as Wap Review suggests). I do not think it's an attempt to create something like Yahoo!Go. First, Google doesn't integrate their own products too well. Second, Google doesn't have any phone-web integration, only app (cool, but not integrated). Third, I don't see Google holding on to customers the same way Yahoo tries. Google wants eye-balls with thumbs (this is mobile) that will click.
I don't know why Google Local Mobile didn't already integrate into their ads network. It has the UI and the users is already trained to see adds there. But, I expect Reqwireless to be used in services that will be excuses for more ads, not smoe benficial service for user data.
What this does do is suggest that many more cool downloadable apps are still to come from Google.
What do you speculate? Do it now before we truly find out. :-)
Link: Google acquires Reqwireless at Wap Review.
One stop shopping for all your mobile needs - easy for users and a potential goldmine for content providers like Yahoo AND Google. Adding to my belief that this sort of all in one client-server mobile portal is what Google has in mind with the Reqwireless technology is Reqwireless’ other products; EmailViewer, HotViewer and GotMailViewer all email apps using Reqwireless’ client-server architecture. EmailViewer is the general purpose version for POP and IMAP while HotViewer and GotMailViewer which are for HotMail and AOLMail respectively.
