Google (Quietly) Launches Orkut For Mobile Phones

(Humorous Hat Tip: Rahul of Devils Workshop, see Note below)

After many months of waiting, seeking and pondering over whether or not Google would develop a mobile version for Orkut, it looks as if my wish has come true.



In order to access the mobile version of Orkut, users simply have to point their phone's browser over to m.Orkut.com and login using your Google account.

The mobile version includes most of Orkut's key features, allowing users to access their scrapbooks, check out their profiles, accept/deny friend requests and search Orkut via the Universal Search (adapted for mobile viewing of course). You can even flag profiles, a feature many spammers will probably loathe.

Unfortunately you can not view communities which is a bummer, as every attempt brings up the infamous "bad, bad, server" error pictured below.



Hopefully Google changes their mind in the future, as adding forums to the list would make Orkut much more fun place to surf (especially on the iPhone).

Launching a mobile version of Orkut is a smart move by Google, as it will help thwart users from having their passwords stolen by logging into a third party site from their cell phone.

On a side note, Google's launch of Orkut mobile probably explains why Orkut decided to launch a "low bandwidth" version of their site, an item that Jerry from Orkut Plus go into more detail about.

Humorous Note: I "accidentally" discovered Orkut mobile after reading this post by Rahul over on Devils Workshop regarding Orkut's low bandwidth version:

Orkut could have done this better by creating a dedicated mobile version like m.orkut.com or wap.mobile.com.

After pondering what would happen if I typed in m.Orkut.com, I was delighted to see a mobile version of Orkut instead of the dreaded donut error. So thanks Rahul, I owe you one! :-)

Update (4/16): It looks as if Google has finally acknowledged Orkut Mobile over on their mobile site (hat tip: Born to be Wireless).

(Google Mobile) Fret no more -- if you have a web-enabled phone and a data plan, just point your mobile web browser to m.orkut.com, and stay connected to your friends anytime, anywhere.

We understand that often your phone's data network isn't as fast as your computer's, so in designing orkut for mobile we focused on offering the features that are most useful when you're on the move, instead of replicating all the desktop features.

I am still waiting for the ability to surf forums via Orkut Mobile. But until then, it will hopefully save time reading the latest scraps via iPhone.