MySpace offers direct access from some Verizon phones

Capitalizing on the growing popularity of Web 2.0 applications on mobile devices, Verizon Wireless Inc. and MySpace Friday announced direct access to the MySpace Mobile Web site from cell phones using Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0 service.

Previously, users had to type in a URL to access MySpace from a phone or device, which isn't easy from a cell phone keypad. Now users can click on the MySpace Mobile Web site from the "Connect" category on the home screen of Verizon's Mobile Web 2.0, Verizon said.

Brandon Lucas, senior director of mobile business development for MySpace, estimated that millions of MySpace users already own Verizon Wireless phones, so the direct connection to MySpace will give fast and easy access at no added charge. The move brings MySpace "a step closer to fulfilling our vision that every user has access to MySpace, anytime, anywhere," he said in a statement.

Once on the MySpace site, users can send, read and reply to messages from their MySpace friends, view MySpace photo albums, look up profiles of their friends through a MySpace profile, search for people by name or e-mail address, post comments and update blogs, just as they would on a PC. Verizon users can obtain Mobile Web 2.0 by registering at "News and Info" in the "Get It Now" menu on certain Verizon phones.

There is a cost for Mobile Web 2.0 subscription, and prices vary depending on a user's data plan. Unlimited Mobile Web 2.0 use is included with a US$15 monthly V cast VPak subscription, which provides Get It Now and video and music applications. Users can also access the Mobile Web free with Verizon's nationwide data plan, but they will incur a usage charge of $1.99 per megabyte. Verizon estimated that 50 Mobile Web 2.0 pages is equal to about 0.6 megabytes.