User-generated content website YouTube is expanding its mobile offering, claiming that users with 3G handsets can now access its mobile video content and features that were previously only available on its PC-oriented site. The company says the move will give users access to mobile video content on over 100 million devices worldwide. YouTube has until now only provided a full mobile video service to Apple’s iPhone and devices marketed by MVNO Helio. An earlier deal with Verizon Wireless, reached in November 2006, allowed selected YouTube videos to be made available on Verizon’s V CAST video service.
3G devices from the likes of Nokia, LG, and Motorola will be capable of accessing the full supply of YouTube content. YouTube says it has no immediate plans to place advertising on the service and is working on software that will enable users to upload videos from their phones directly to the service. Currently, content has to be downloaded from the user’s phone to a computer and then uploaded to YouTube.com.