Infospace launches mCore an end to end platform that unifies mobile search, storefronts, portals and messaging.

What is mCore?

Infospace has traditionally been a portal and storefront provider of mobile with its presence initiating in the online space. Its quest into mobile services has been more piecemeal with one of mobile search type services such as Find It. mCore puts the wrappings on InfoSpace’s mobile positioning and strategy and gives it backbone.

The competitive environment in mobile is red – with every mobile search, branded search and competitive influence fighting for the lions’ share of the same market. InfoSpace is on a mission to review, revamp and revitalize its competitive positioning in mobile.

This is a necessity as InfoSpace is one of the only leading mobile search players with a storefront, portal and mobile search capability. Therefore, InfoSpace will be able to differentiate itself use Virgin Mobile as a complete and comprehensive footprint for its flagship mCore services.

What we think
InfoSpace has been gearing up to this since 3GSM 2007. Its partnership announcements with InfoGin and Fastsearch have alluded to a change of strategy and mCore is more of an evolution than a revolution.

This being said, it does not mean that it’s relevant and vital for InfoSpace’s continued success in the mobile space. We also believe that InfoSpace might even divide its business into two categories Internet and mobile. If this happens it would be easier for a third party to purchase, take-over or invest in the company.

Indeed there were some rumours about Zed and other comanies beelining InfoSpace but we feel that a buyer is closer to home. The competitive landscape of mobile search means that swollowing the competition is more of a necessity than ever before.

For a preview of the article FastSearch vs InfoSpace from The Mobile Search Analyst -please email bena@bkimedia.com