The mobile news just keeps on coming this week:

Google + LG

According to Reuters, LG will begin shipping a number of mobile devices later this year that will all come preloaded with Google software.  By mid-2007, and continuing for a couple of years, LG plans to release at least 10 phones sporting Google Maps, Gmail, and Blogger.

Yahoo + Virgin Mobile

Also running on Reuters is an announcement from Yahoo and Virgin Mobile that makes Yahoo's mobile services available for download by Virgin customers starting in April.  Virgin will also begin shipping phones pre-loaded with Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger over the next few months.

The Mobile Wars

We were talking about the mobile market yesterday.  Google released a new version of its mobile search platform and Yahoo announced the creation of mobile publisher's network.  Microsoft has long been a player in the mobile market with their Windows Mobile operating system (and Live Search mobile edition).

There you have it.  The big three in Internet search all fighting for mobile supremacy as well.

We keep hearing all of this talk about the mobile Internet.  And all of these companies are fighting for placement in that mobile Internet.  I can see mobile Internet-ing becoming a big deal in the future.  So it's understandable that everyone wants a piece.

But right now… the mobile Internet is just awful.

It's slow, it's ugly, and navigation is a nightmare.  I don't blame content producers or the Internet itself.  I blame the mobile phone makers.  So far I have yet to see a cell phone worthy of any real mobile Internet use.  I've seen a handful of non-phone mobile devices that do the Internet marginally well.  But for the most part… mobile devices are just not well made for Internet usage.

Maybe the iPhone and the clones that are sure to follow will change that.  Or maybe some other mobile device will come out that changes my mind.  But for now it's much easier for me to call directory assistance when I need to find a local business.  It's much easier for me to send a text message as opposed to an email.

Maybe I just haven't had a good mobile Internet experience.  Does anyone out there use the Internet on their mobile device regularly?  And if so… what's your experience like?