mediajunk

Google is planning a "double lucky" version of its search tools for mobile devices, says Stephen Arnold of ArnoldIT (source: Red Herring).

In the Double Lucky system, your search results will be enhanced by two factors: a) your location and b) the time of day.

To give a crude example, if you searched for "things to do" on your mobile device, and you were on Grafton Street in Dublin at 10am, you may be given sites about tourist attractions such as the Book of Kells in Trinity College. Type the same phrase at the same location at 10pm, and you may be given a list of theatres, cinemas and clubs in the area.

Google wants to create a predictive mobile search system for two reasons, Mr. Arnold said. Aside from providing a more accurate search for the user, such a system can reduce latency -- that delay common in wireless communication -- by queuing up answers in advance.

Personally, I have yet to be convinced about the benefits of mobile search. It's been "surely the next big thing" for so long ... a bit like nuclear fusion.

People don't necessarily use technology the way Big Business expects (and wants) them to. The mobile industry expected us to embrace 3G with open arms ... and wallets. That didn't happen. Conversely, nobody expected texting to become the phenomenon it has.

I can understand why people think mobile search will be big, but I'm a compulsive internet user, and I have yet to use any internet-enabled mobile device in any meaningful way. Perhaps the technology will improve, but I suspect mobile device screens will always have to be small enough to fit in our pockets... and that's just not big enough.

Plus, when I use the internet, I'm in "sit down" mode. I can't imagine walking down the street trying to read web pages. But I'm open to being converted...