Orange and Google have joined forces to enable one-click access to Google’s mobile search application from the homescreens of Orange phones in Europe. In a statement, Orange said the multi-year strategic agreement was the first of its kind between a European mobile operator and the US search giant. Orange plans to launch ‘Google Mobile App’ across its footprint in a phased approach and will deliver it across a large range of Orange Signature phones. The application will initially appear on the homescreen on Signature Android handsets, alongside other services such as Orange TV. The handsets include the LG Eve (France, Spain), HTC Tattoo (France, UK, Spain) and HTC Hero (France). In the UK and France, Google mobile search results will also include relevant content from Orange’s own mobile portal, combining results from both partners for the first time.

Orange said that optimised Google search will later be made available across a wider range of Orange Signature devices operating on the Symbian S60, RIM (BlackBerry) and Microsoft Windows Mobile platforms. On these platforms the application will include links to services such as the Orange mobile portal, Google News, Google Maps and Google Mail. “This partnership will also let us give customers direct access to the best Google applications across a large part of our Signature portfolio, combining the strength of two leading brands to create and deliver the kind of content people want to find and use on their mobile,” said Raoul Roverato, EVP for New Growth Business at Orange.