Rhaomi
07-04-2007, 02:20
I try to refrain from posting stories I see on Digg, but this is too cool to pass up.
Google has long offered a Local Search function via text message on your cell phone. Just text a query to GOOGL (46645) and it would send 1-3 SMS responses. But typing on a keypad is slow and tedious. So Google, as always, found a better way.
They just launched Google 411, accessible at 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411). It's completely free and voice-based. Just call, and an automated voice will ask for your city and town. After that, it will ask for the name of a business or service. You can ask for anything from the general ("video") to the specific ("Movie Gallery"). It'll then list the top results, saying the street name after each.
After selecting a result, you can ask for more information ("details"), a text message with the same info ("text message"), or opt for the service to connect you to the business for free ("connect").
Google is pretty amazing, to say the least...
Google has long offered a Local Search function via text message on your cell phone. Just text a query to GOOGL (46645) and it would send 1-3 SMS responses. But typing on a keypad is slow and tedious. So Google, as always, found a better way.
They just launched Google 411, accessible at 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411). It's completely free and voice-based. Just call, and an automated voice will ask for your city and town. After that, it will ask for the name of a business or service. You can ask for anything from the general ("video") to the specific ("Movie Gallery"). It'll then list the top results, saying the street name after each.
After selecting a result, you can ask for more information ("details"), a text message with the same info ("text message"), or opt for the service to connect you to the business for free ("connect").
Google is pretty amazing, to say the least...