Yahoo Launches OneConnect Service

In 2007, Yahoo revolutionized mobile search with Yahoo! oneSearch, an optimized search experience designed for the mobile device. Now the company has unveiled a plan for similarly reinventing mobile communications with its upcoming Yahoo oneConnect service.�

"Last year we set out to reinvent mobile search with Yahoo! oneSearch, and today with 29 operator partnerships around the world covering more than 600 million subscribers, we believe we have certainly succeeded," said Marco Boerries, executive vice president, Connected Life, Yahoo.

"Now, we intend to reinvent mobile communications through Yahoo! oneConnect, a revolutionary new mobile communications service that will combine integrated mobile messaging with a socially-connected address book,"he added.

oneConnect will be the first mobile product with an open architecture that aggregates communications tools - email, instant messaging (IM), text messaging (SMS), and social networks - for a new level of convenience in mobile communications. Users can view new postings on Facebook, photos on MySpace, or a connection on LinkedIn.

It includes features such as a socially-connected address book, integrated mobile messaging, contact status alerts, and innovative location-sensing technology with proximity alerts. Widgets will offer the capability to access email from major providers, including Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, and AOL.

After its release, oneConnect is expected to become available across hundreds of devices and mobile browsers around the world. The product is expected to be made available in Q2 2008.