Google and Yahoo battle over cell phone searchers

Yahoo and Google have both added a search feature for cell phones. Yahoo released theirs on Wednesday just a few weeks behind Google's debut of SMS (Short Message Service).

SMS uses text-only messages to deliver its results while Yahoo's new mobile service offers localized search results, maps and Web site icons.

These steps by both Internet giants reflect the growth of the mobile industry and the growing desire of users to mimic the functionality that they are accostomed to in their computers with cellular capable devices.

Yet, the US lags behind Europe and Asia in cell phone Web browsing. The majority of U.S. consumers still prefer to use the Interent over a wired connection.

Yahoo and Google are no doubt hoping to cash in on additional advertising dollars as the services gain more widespread popularity.

Not everyone can access the search as yet. Yahoo's mobile search is available now to AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless and Sprint subscribers. Meanwhile, Google's SMS test product works with the top five U.S. operators. Charges for both services may vary, and depend on individual plans. In general, U.S. wireless operators charge between 2 cents and 10 cents to send messages or download Web pages.