Intriguing New Web Search Engines

by Dianne Thole, Search Engine Placement Specialist

Ever since data has been stored on computers, people have needed effective ways to search that data. Search engines are continually evolving to provide us with new ways to search the web. No longer are we confined to our homes or offices, connected with a plug to the wall, to get Internet access. Now we are using our PDA’s and cell phones to connect to the web. So how can you keep up?

As a former library employee and avid searcher I have recently found some exciting new Web search engines that can make searching the Internet with your PDA or cell phone easier. Google™’s SMS (Short Message Service) will search the Internet and return results structured for your cell phone or PDA at no charge--all you pay is the cost of your text message. Other new services to add to your list of Web search engines are Hakia®, Vlingo, and Tafiti.

Google SMS Message Service

» So Close to Truly Free Cell Phone Search

The Google SMS–Short Message Service –has been around since 2004, so it isn’t so new anymore, but it has many useful cell phone capabilities. SMS gives you access to the Web via your cell phone and you pay only text-message rates charged by your carrier . There is no truly free cell phone search, but this is as close as they get. As long as you already have text-messaging services enabled and use one of the major cell providers – Alltel, Nextel or Sprint PCS – you can use this service. What sort of information can you get? SMS delivers an array of valuable information, including local business listings, stock quotes, driving directions, flight status, airline contact info, language translations, and, most recently, maps.

» Using Google SMS

To start your Google SMS search, type “mobile.google.com” into your cell phone web browser. Enter a word describing the kind of search you want to do, followed by the question. Once you've entered your request, send the text message via SMS to 46645. (Just so you can remember, that spells "GOOGL" on your keypad.) Google will send you the information you requested. Unsure about investing this new technology? To help you decide if this is something you want to use, you can try Google SMS Message Service from your computer first. It can make technology feel a lot less initimidating, and if you decide to use it, you'll not only appreciate finding what you need wherever you are, but you'll perform like a pro in front of your friends.

Hakia - A Semantic Rank Algorithm Search Engine

The next service, Hakia, is a beta, or trial service. Hakia’s goal is to give us a look at what Web 3.0 might look like (did you know the web has gone through two evolutions already?). The buzz is that Web 3.0 may be the long-promised Semantic Web. Wikipedia gives the definition of semantic web as a project that intends to create a universal medium for information exchange by putting documents with computer-processable meaning (semantics) on the World Wide Web. This will add a layer of meaning on top of the existing Web that would make it less of a catalog and more of a guide — and may even provide the foundation for systems that can reason in a human fashion. Hakia’s extracts bits of meaning from the massive amount of pages on the Internet and lets you use them for searching.

» Using Hakia

Hakia suggests that you search using phrases or questions. The phrases are highlighted in the results to make them easier to browse. One of the main innovations - a clear leap forward for those of us who like tab browsing - is how Hakia has a handy little arrow off to the side to click, which immediately opens up a new tab in your window. If you aren’t using tab browsing yet in IE or Mozilla, this is a great reason to try it. Hakia might not beat Google (yet), but it’s an interesting look at where search engines may be going. Hakia works with Mozilla as well as Internet Explorer. To try Hakia, here’s a live search box you can use:

Otherwise, you can visit Hakia directly.

Microsoft’s Tafiti

Tafiti is made by Microsoft, and doesn’t work if you are using a Mozilla browser. Tafiti uses a search box where you type in your question, click “Go”, and the animated interface spins into action. First, the box slides to the upper left corner. Next, five empty shelves spin into view. Use these shelves for searching the Web, images, books, RSS feeds or news. You can drag your results to a shelf and save them in “stacks”. Give your stacks unique names for easy retrieval. You will need to log into a Microsoft product account, like Hotmail, MSN or Windows Live, to see the saved searches the next time you open your browser. You can also post a saved search or send it to someone through email. See the Tafiti preview on 10inkstudios and try it for yourself.

Vlingo Find

If you're eager to take full advantage of the web capabilities of your cell phone but find entering text problematic, Vlingo is working on the answer. Vlingo claims that its Hierarchical Language models allow you to say anything and be understood, but it’s best to use text messaging language.

Vlingo claims that if you want to search something in your mobile browser, instead of typing regular search queries, you can speak into the phone. Vlingo then enters your spoken information into its text fields and your search is on its way. For now, Vlingo only works on AT&T and Sprint®, but this may well be the next leap forward for cell phones. To get a better idea of how it works, check out the Vlingo video demo.

Finding the Right Stuff!

So there they are—the best of the new Web search engines created for PCs, cell phones and PDA’s. All of these programs are trying to improve the way we use the information superhighway to navigate our lives. Of course, no matter what search engine you use on whatever machine, phone or computer, finding the “right stuff” is what it’s all about.

Works Cited (not including links above):

Seven Trends that Influences Search Technologies, Sneha Philipose

Introducing Vlingo: A Breakthrough in Voice-Powered Interfaces for Mobile Phones, PR Newswire