Google Boosts Mobile Search

Google rolled out improvements to its mobile searching, and it is enabling search-history syncing and tighter integration with Google Maps.

The company is trying to bring the desktop and mobile search experience closer by bringing the Personalized Suggest feature to the Android, iPhone, and Palm webOS platforms. This enables mobile users to repeat past searches quickly once they've signed into their Google account on the go.

"For example, suppose that before I depart for the airport, I quickly check my flight status by searching for 'American Airlines 19' using google.com on my computer," Google wrote on its mobile blog. "Later, as I am hailing a taxi in rush hour traffic, I can open google.com on my phone, click on in the search box, and choose 'American Airlines 19' from the search suggestions."

This synchronization boost will also apply to Google Maps, as users can star places they want to go from their desktop, and these locations will be accessible on a mobile device. Users can receive directions to these locations on the go, as well more information like reviews, operating hours, and photos.

This syncing can also give mobile users' thumbs a rest because the "Local" category has been redesigned to place less of an emphasis on keyboard input. Users can browse various local categories and receive information and directions without having to type.

Google continues to boost its mobile applications because more consumers are using their mobile devices to surf the Web and search the Internet. Google CEO Eric Schmidt has even said he believes mobile advertising will eventually generate more revenue for the company than advertising on the normal Web. This is part of the reason why Google introduced the Android mobile operating system in 2007, but the search giant potentially benefits whenever users on rival platforms use their devices to go online.

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