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    WebHelp to Provide Wireless Web SearchesPosted By: Ed on Tuesday, August 07, 2001 1:00:35 PM
Motorola has teamed up with Webhelp to offer individuals access to all the information on the Web. With Motorola's iSKETCH , users write or draw requests for information in their own handwriting directly onto their handheld's screen. Those requests are then sent as an instant message to Webhelp, where a web-based support agent receives the request and responds -- sending answers to the Palm device in the form of dynamic multi-media messages. The ability to direct a question to a human researcher versus a database or traditional search engine results in one, complete answer for the user -- eliminating the need to surf the web for the information that's needed. If the user's Palm OS device can support it, iSKETCH can deliver MMS messages that combine text, hand-drawn annotation, bitmap photos, animation, and audio dictation -- allowing the user to receive his reply in whatever format best answers his question. "Imagine having a search engine in your back pocket, with access to the entire Web's answers in real-time complete with graphics and photos versus simple text messages with attachments," said Craig Peddie, General Manager of Motorola's Lexicus division that specializes in the design and development of user interface software and input technologies for smart devices. "The solution that Motorola and Webhelp are delivering for businesses and individuals delivers the first phase of media-rich messages. It will change the way we gather and receive information on wireless devices." The companies haven't released many details on how this new service will work or what it will cost. Currently, the WebHelp service is available for free but in order to get the fastest answers to questions, a $10 per month fee is required for unlimited questions. iSKETCH costs $10. Related Information:
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Article Comments
5 total comments The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PIC is not responsible for them in any way. login or register for free in order to post comments.  RE: $10 per ?I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2001 9:07:54 AM #
Besides which, $10 is damn cheap for what is basically someone doing the thinking for you. I think $10 a question would have been a steal. I can't see how they'll make enough money to stay afloat at $10 for unlimited questions. RE: $10 per ?
I went to that PR linked above, and it also talks about selling the server stuff to "your" company so that your IT guy can use it to answer questions/problems. That makes more sense to me. I was also thinking about it just now, and I think $10 isn't a bad idea. $10 per question would discourage people from using it, while $10 per month with UNLIMITED questions would encourage its use. Keep in mind that a lot of people would pay for the service and rarely, if EVER, actually use it. Then, there are a couple people that will be hammering the poor answer guy every day, just because they can.
I'm still not so sure it's going to do well as a consumer service, but as a corporate support method, it might be useful for a little while... until technology changes enough to make it obsolete (say, in a couple years, hehe) 
 BFDI.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2001 1:00:05 PM #
"Imagine having a search engine in your back pocket, with access to the entire Web's answers in real-time complete with graphics and photos versus simple text messages with attachments,"
Yeah, I can imagine it. It's called the wireless internet as seen through a PocketPC or Palm. We have that. What do they add? The ability to sketch your queries rather than use text? BFD.
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Is it a $10 setup fee after the $10 software purchase?
Is it $10 per question no matter what?
Sorry, but any one of those is unacceptable to me. Id sooner call my bro on the cell phone, the IT guy at work, or surf around for it myself. If I want to send handwritten notes like some lame-slag who can't print capital letters (GRAFFITI!) then I could just get Bug Me Messenger to support that aspect.
Sounds like a rip off to me, and I honestly think it will fail miserably. But you never can tell these days. ;-)