Ask goes Mobile

Ask.com is launching a web search service designed specifically for mobile phones and handheld devices.

Ask.com Mobile, which debuts today, features navigation shortcuts to minimise keystrokes and provides direct access to key search categories on the homepage, such as directions, image search, business listings, maps and weather, according to the company, a subsidiary of InterActiveCorp.

The service uses technology called Skweezer which squeezes web pages so they appear in a format that is easier to view on small displays and speeds up the download rate. Ask.com Mobile also lets people automatically dial numbers from listings, select driving or walking directions, and send maps and directions to mobile phones.

The service will be ad-free.

The major search engines have been moving fast into the mobile space. And others are already offering advertising on the mobile services, anticipating that people using mobile phones to search the web will be likely to make a transaction by visiting a merchant.

On Monday, Microsoft said it plans to place ads on MSN's Windows Live Search for Mobile service that will let people click on an ad to place a call to the advertiser.

Last week, Yahoo! launched a beta version of sponsored search results on mobile phones in the UK and US. In July, Google updated its services for mobile users.

Elinor Mills writes for CNET News.com