Yahoo GO 3.0 Beta Released

Got an email from Yahoo! today. Annoucing the beta version of Yahoo! GO 3.0. It is compatile with iPhone, WM5/6 and Nokia S60 devices. Yahoo! GO is composed of an array of web services designed for your handheld device (Maps, Mail, Messenger, etc.). In addition, there are some 3rd party mobile widgets available for download (MTV News, eBay, etc.) I'll give it a go and report back shortly. (Note the Nokia N95 8GB used in the photo... sweet!)

Vodafone and Yahoo to Launch Mobile Ads

The title says it all. Yahoo has landed a position to be the exclusive display advertising partner to Vodaphone, a British mobile phone group. A couple of thoughts immediately come to mind:
1). Will Yahoo's new Panama platform allow U.S. advertisers to target ads outside the U.S. and target mobile ads outside the U.S.? Or do we have to advertise through Yahoo's UK office?
2). Vodaphone's service extends throughout Europe and some parts of Asia. Will marketers have the ability to DMA target selected customers beyond UK?
This partnership certainly has some serious potential for mobile advertising. Source: Reuters

Yahoo Messenger on BlackBerry (Even for Cingular)

In case you haven't heard, Yahoo Messenger is now available for download from RIM's website. The application, however, is not meant for Cingular Wireless Customers.

"Yahoo! Messenger, designed for BlackBerry devices, is currently not available for customers of Cingular Wireless... These customers may download the software but will be unable to log into Yahoo! Messenger from their BlackBerry devices."

Do not despair, a fellow frustrated user and member of BlackBerryForums.com has posted a step by step instruction to get the necessary service book onto your Cingular issued Blackberry enabling the software to work. Good job Spencer!

Unfortunately, this solution is not going to work for those running Desktop Manager on a Mac. In addition, you'll also need to login to your BIS account to resend all other services books. Those running BES would also need to request your admin to create an IT policy enabling Y!M traffic.

Personally, I am thrilled a hack is now available, but I will not bother with the installation for two reasons: 1). If Yahoo doesn't want Cingular customers using their IM, then so be it. I am not going to bend backwards just to use a mediocre IM network especially when most of my friends are using either AIM or Google Talk (which is available for all BlackBerry devices). 2). I am not sure if I will be billed differently if I use an unauthorized communication software. I remembered T-Mobile used to bill me for every message send or received over the built-in AIM/YahooIM/ICQ software. It treated each message as an SMS text message. I will steer clear from that direction.