Vlingo - Top Wireless Company 2008: FierceWireless, Fierce 15

Vlingo

Where it's based: Cambridge, Mass.
When it was founded: 2006
Website: www.vlingo.com

Why it's Fierce: Vlingo garnered much attention last month when it was revealed the voice recognition company was the engine behind Yahoo!'s oneSearch 2.0 service, an expansion of its mobile search service enabling users to initiate queries using text or voice. Vlingo's voice search technology enables users to seek out any and all information without following prompts or adhering to specific search terms. Yahoo will officially launch the oneSearch 2.0 service later this year. Immediately following Yahoo!'s announcement, Vlingo announced the completion of a $20-million series B financing round led by none other than Yahoo!

What to Look For: Look for this type of voice search technology to have a major impact on mobile Internet consumption. By giving consumers control of the mobile Internet using their voice, Vlingo is providing a quantum leap in usability for mobile data services that are currently limited by the vast number of clicks and menus customers have to scroll through to reach the content they want.