Search engine debuts mobile service aimed at people exploring unfamiliar locations.

As online search companies race to capture the mobile market, Google on Monday offered local maps on cell phones, along with directions, search results, business locations, and contact names.

Google Local for Mobile includes satellite imagery from the Google maps service and enables users to zoom in and out on a location, move in all directions, and drag the maps around. The service also includes detailed directions for people driving or walking.

Users go to Google.com/glm on their mobile phone’s browser to download the application. The software will only work with Java-capable phones. Users also need to have a data plan with their wireless carrier that enables them to access mobile Internet sites from their cell phones.