Google and Yahoo call up more phone partners

Yahoo has partnered with Virgin Mobile USA to have Yahoo Mail and Yahoo Messenger preloaded on several of Virgin's handsets. Yahoo Mobile Web also will be the search tool of choice for Virgin's Surf the Web service.

Beginning in April, the Yahoo mobile instant-messaging application will be included as part of Virgin's e-mail and messaging service plans. Virgin Mobile also plans to adopt Yahoo's SMS services in the coming months.

A mobile partnership Google has formed with LG Electronics encompasses more than search and messaging.

Under the deal, which is expected to eventually extend into the "digitalized home," according to a joint statement from the companies, LG handsets will be marketed as "LG-Google" phones. Select cell phones, in addition to a one-click Google search tool, will come installed with mobile versions of Google Maps, Gmail and Blogger. Blogger Mobile will include the ability to upload and download images, as well as text.

The LG-Google linkup is set to involve phones in Asia, Europe and North America. Consumers can expect to see the changes implemented on LG handsets beginning in the second quarter of 2007, the companies said, with 10 new handsets shipped by the end the year and more in the next few years.