At CTIA Wireless 2010, Yahoo Inc. released two iPhone applications ? Yahoo Sketch-a-Search and Yahoo Search ? to make search more engaging for consumers while delivering relevant and powerful information.

Yahoo first revolutionized mobile search in 2007 with the launch of Yahoo oneSearch, which delivered answers, not just Web links. This consumer experience signified a tipping point in the industry as Yahoo fundamentally changed the way consumers used search on their mobile phones.

?Mobile search is a huge focus at Yahoo! and a key priority for the company as we develop the next generation of Internet services across PC and mobile,? said Cory Pforzheimer, spokesman at Yahoo, Sunnyvale, CA. ?We are focused on making our industry leading mobile Internet services and applications available to the broadest audience possible across the widest selection of devices.

?In addition to providing our consumers with rich and personally relevant services, we enable our advertisers to extend their brand reach across PC and mobile to engage with their key audiences,? he said. ?Consumers are looking for unique search experiences that are more intuitive and we want to be sure to deliver on that front.?

Since the launch of oneSearch Yahoo has partnered with more than 80 leading carriers and original equipment manufacturers around the world to deliver a mobile search experience to millions of users.

Yahoo Sketch-a-Search
Yahoo Sketch-a-Search makes search even easier, without typing keywords or thinking about search terms.

Consumers simply draw a boundary on their phone's map to discover local businesses within that location.

Yahoo Sketch-a-Search delivers local content without people needing to know the neighborhood.

Initially available for restaurant searches in the U.S., Yahoo Sketch-a-Search will launch additional local categories on an ongoing basis and extend to international markets in the near future.

Key features include:

? Sketch and Discover: Use a finger to draw a circle, line, or any shape to get a bird's eye view of what's nearby in a specific area or on a specific street.

? Location Awareness: Defaults to a person's current location, remembers previous locations, and allows people to search for a specific city or an area of interest.

? Robust Local Content: Filter restaurant results by cuisine, ambiance, and star rating. Click on restaurants to read reviews, browse photos, get directions, or make a phone call -- all directly within the app.

? Shake to Clear: Shake the device or click on the Sketch icon to start a new Sketch-a-Search.

Yahoo Search iPhone app
Maximized for speed, the Yahoo Search iPhone app revolves around an innovative interface that delivers contextually relevant results quickly and efficiently.

Features include  embedded maps, localized query suggestions that display as consumers type, intelligent search history, voice search, and content and information from Yahoo and other sources that appear directly in the results.

The Yahoo Search iPhone application is available in 22 markets across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, and will continue to roll out to additional locations.

Key features include:

? Fast Results: Get results, detailed summaries at a glance, and instant, local suggestions that display as you type with Yahoo! Search Assist.

? Local Shortcuts: Refine results based on your location with embedded maps and location-aware technology. Then call a business or get directions with a single click, all without leaving the results. (Currently available only in the U.S.)

? Rich Local Content: View photos, ratings, phone numbers, and more from Yahoo! Local, Yelp, and Citysearch.

? Rich Results: Get the answers you're looking for -- not a list of meaningless links -- with search results that are infused with specific, helpful information from Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Movies, and other providers.

? Integrated Voice Search: Don't type -- just speak your query, making input easy and fast.

? Intelligent Search History: Get quick access to recent searches and local businesses.

? Shake to Clear: Shake the device to start a new query.

?Yahoo is pushing the bounds and defining the future of the Internet, mobile and search experiences,? Mr. Pforzheimer said. ?These two apps are just a sample of the continued innovation and investment coming from Yahoo so stay tuned for more.

?We?re redesigning the consumer experience to make search simple, fun and fast,? he said. ?Based on early feedback, our mobile search experiences are delighting users. 

?We see enormous potential in location aware search advertising and are very excited to offer brands unique opportunities to engage with consumers in new and meaningful ways.?