What is the mobile Internet?
Just what you always wanted: mail, maps, news on your phone.
You may have heard about the mobile Internet—it’s the Web for mobile devices. You’ll find services from your favorite providers, designed for your phone, that let you do just about anything when you’re mobile. It used to be only for high-end devices, but today, just about any phone can get the mobile Web.
First, get a data plan.
Get this—Yahoo! mobile services are free. You’ll need a data plan—which is usually a small monthly fee in addition to your regular service. Your mobile carrier will have different options to choose from. Usually, you can pay as you go, or pay a flat fee for unlimited use. Once you have a data plan, it’s up to you how much you use it. We think you’ll use it a lot.
Then, give it a whirl.
There’s more than one way to get the mobile Internet. All are good; it really depends on your phone, your carrier, and what you want to do.
The Mobile Web
A mobile browser lets you view sites and services on your phone, just like desktop browsers Firefox or Internet Explorer. Your phone might already have a mobile browser, or you can download one—try Opera mini at mini.opera.com.
Once you’ve got a browser, just enter a URL and go. By the way, mobile URLs can look different than standard URLs. For example, the Yahoo mobile homepage is m.yahoo.com.
Mobile "apps"
OK, we’re not talking chocolate chip cookies, but we think you’ll love mobile apps almost as much. Mobile apps are applications designed to work on mobile devices.
There are tons of them—games, ringtones, a mobile scorecard for golfers, a global subway guide for travelers. Once you download a mobile app, it’s stored on your phone, so it’s fast; you don’t have to access the mobile Internet to use it.
SMS (or Text Messaging)
No data plan? Text messaging is an economical and easy way to stay connected with your favorite Internet services and information from your phone.
Create a new text message and send it to the number 92466 (YAHOO) to get information delivered to your phone.
Search for local information by sending a query with your location or zip code. For example, if your zip code is 94025, you can find a local pizza restaurant by texting “pizza 94025.″ Get a stock quote for Yahoo! by texting “yhoo” or find a WiFi hotspot by texting “wifi 94025.” You can even use text messaging to keep your Yahoo! Messenger conversation going from your phone. NOTE: Text messaging charges will apply.
