In its never-ending quest for platforms, Google has turned its attention to Apple’s iPhone. On Wednesday, the search giant announced an iPhone version of its home page, and its approach might point the way to how it sees mobile applications working in a new, open environment.
When an iPhone visitor goes to google.com via the iPhone’s Safari browser, the device type is detected and the user is automatically redirected to a home page that has been optimized for the popular smartphone.
It provides quick access to find and switch between Gmail, Calendar, and Reader, along with autocomplete options if the user types in the search box. If a user wants to go back to the old home page interface, a link will make that happen.
Not First iPhone App
The applications reportedly respond more quickly through this customized iPhone interface than they would if the iPhone user just visited Google normally. Google said the interface uses Ajax (asynchronous JavaScript and XML) and other technologies to provide this optimized device-specific version. Ajax has been used by the company to make Google Maps, Gmail, and other applications respond more quickly.
This is not Google’s first foray into iPhone-specific interfaces. Google Maps already has been optimized for the iPhone. And one of the iPhone’s first device-specific native applications was for YouTube videos. YouTube is owned by Google.
In its announcement of the iPhone interface, Google made a point of saying that its “overall goal” is to provide users with access to information via applications that are “device-independent.” This latest incarnation of that strategy could provide another indication of Google’s goals for future mobile devices.
Open Applications
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