Vodafone has demonstrated a new trial service called "Otello", which is basically a mobile search engine that uses images, rather than words at the CeBIT show in Germany. Vodafone's reasoning is that it's more convenient to take a picture than to enter search terms with a phone that lacks a normal keyboard. The picture can be anything from a historical building to a CD cover, according to Vodafone. Otello then returns information relevant to the picture to the mobile phone, just like a normal search engine. Users can easily send images via MMS from their mobiles and the search service will return the results.
Vodafone is running trials with a German newspaper that allows users to find out more about stories by photographing the images that appear in the article and MMSing the images. This gives the reader access to additional multimedia content, such as photos or videos that would not be possible to have in the newspaper itself.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Image Search Services
- There is a disruptive innovation opportunity in developing more advanced and accurate image search services that use AI to recognize objects and provide relevant information.
- Visual Search Technology
- The introduction of visual search technology will require the development of new software and hardware that can process images and provide relevant information quickly and accurately.
- Mobile Search Engines
- Mobile search engines can provide convenience to users who may not have access to keyboards or prefer to use images to search for information. There is a disruptive innovation opportunity in developing more efficient and user-friendly mobile search engines.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Telecommunications
- Telecommunications companies can benefit from developing new search technologies and services that utilize visual search and improve the overall mobile experience.
- Media and Publishing
- Media and publishing companies can incorporate visual search technology into their digital content to provide more immersive and interactive experiences for their audiences.
- Retail
- Retail companies can use visual search technology to improve their online shopping experience by allowing consumers to search for products using images and providing relevant information quickly and accurately.
