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HiT Barcelona: popIn allows “searching on the spot”

By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, June 18th, 2009 at 8:25 AM

popIn

popIn is a Japan-based company that provides users with the ability to contextually search the web based on the selected word/phrase in the web browser through a plug-in. At the same time, they also pitch website owners to allow their site visitors with the same functionality without any plugin, using nothing but a JavaScript.

In real-life this looks like this: you select a text on a web page and get options to search for the selected word/phrase in Google, Wikipedia, YouTube and other destinations. When you select the preferred search engine a small pop-in (not popup, but a <div> layer) will appear presenting you with search results right on the page, without you need to leave the website.

It’s neat, but you might be wondering where’s mobile in that. Well, they say they’re also working on mobile clients. Initially, they’ll launch for iPhone and Android and if that flies I’ve no doubts they’ll expand to other platforms, as well. Personally, I believe that can be very useful and effective, as I get tired of site’s opening new windows/tabs on my mobile phone.

In the meantime, while we’re waiting for popIn’s mobile client, you can check out their “desktop offering” from their website. It’s really that cool!

About The Author

Dusan Belic

Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.