Go Network goes wireless
In an effort to jump into the increasingly popular market for handheld computers, Disney's Web portal enters a deal with mobile information firm AvantGo to offer content on wireless devices.
Under the terms of the deal, users of Palm devices, Windows CE-based handhelds and Net-enabled cell phones can access personalized content from Disney and Infoseek's Go Network, such as stock quotes, sports scores, weather and news, the companies said.
The Go Network encompasses all of Disney's content offerings, including ESPN for sports, ABC News, Disney's family-oriented content and entertainment property Mr. Showbiz, among others. It is part of Infoseek, of which Disney owns 43 percent.
Disney said in July that it would buy the rest of Infoseek and form Go.com to manage all its Internet interests. Infoseek shareholders then sued Disney, claiming the sale would shortchange them. The suit is pending; Disney shareholders are scheduled to vote on the Infoseek purchase Wednesday.
The deal comes as content 
and
services companies increasingly are looking for ways to offer their wares
to people who use handheld devices. Analysts expect the market for such
devices to skyrocket in coming years as consumers and corporations embrace
them.
Several online brokerages and firms such as Amazon.com already have deals with handheld device firms to offer their services.
"Now users do not have to have a desktop computer to access personalized information, interactive applications and services from Go Network," Art Clark, director of wireless communications for Infoseek, said in a statement. "AvantGo provides us with the easiest and most flexible solution for bringing the broad range of Go Network content and applications to today's wireless user."