Updated: Does Yahoo even know there's an iPhone? Yes!

Update, 10:09 a.m. PST: After reading my original column (see below), Yahoo representatives asked to discuss with me the current and future strategy Yahoo has embarked on. And while I was skeptical of where the company is going and I still think there is considerable work that needs to be done, I'm happy to report that after speaking with the Yahoo folks, it looks like the company has it together. (For starters, it has an iPhone-specific Web page.)

According to Yahoo, it's currently working on bringing that iPhone Web app to the Net, and as the company has pointed out, its integration with the iPhone on weather, stocks, and even mail has helped it parlay that experience into exciting new Yahoo products on the horizon. Obviously I can't get into some of the services that were discussed (and neither can Yahoo), but let me say that this company seems to have its head on straight and should be pretty well equipped to get in on the iPhone Web app game.

Now, I know some folks were a bit upset with the title of this piece (same as the current one, but without the "Yes!") because obviously Yahoo knows there's an iPhone, but the real intent was to highlight the issues that I have seen in Yahoo's mobile strategy and my belief that it has ignored the online side of the iPhone's functionality. But after speaking with Yahoo representatives who highlighted some of the finer points in the company's strategy and its intentions for the future, you can bet that I'll be looking forward to future launches of services.

Oh, and look for that Yahoo home page to get much more user-friendly, too (my biggest pet peeve).

Wake up, Yahoo.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Original post starts here: If you've been following the latest news out of Cupertino and Mountain View, you probably know that Google has developed an app that will allow all iPhone users to surf over to the Google home page and enjoy a page specifically designed for the Apple product.

Not only does the new page consolidate all of Google's services, it makes for easy browsing and a far more enjoyable experience.

But for some odd reason, Google is the only major search engine offering full-fledged support for the iPhone. And while I can understand why Microsoft may be unwilling to support the iPhone's mobile Safari browser, what is Yahoo's excuse?

Simply put, the mobile search experience on Google is fantastic, but when it comes to Yahoo, it's pure garbage.

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