Google Trials Search-by-Phone

By Nate Mook | Published April 9, 2007, 2:43 PM

Google may have an answer for those tired of paying for expensive 411 calls from their cell phone: Google Voice Local Search, which goes by the nickname Goog-411. The service, currently in testing on the search company's Labs site, makes local business searches accessible via the phone.

In theory, Goog-411 is simple: users call a toll-free number (1-800-GOOG-411) and speak their search query, which is then processed through speech recognition software. If there is an exact match, Google can connect the user directly to the business free of charge.

Results from the search are read back to the user, who can request them be sent via text message to a cell phone. Initial reviews of the service have been mostly positive, although Google reminds callers that Goog-411 is still in its experimental stages.

According to Google, the data used is the same as would be found using Google Maps, although no computer is required in this case. For now, the test offering is only available in English and in the United States.

Goog-411 is not the company's first foray into cell phone based searching: the company currently offers searching by SMS and a special version of its homepage and Gmail service designed for mobile browsers. However, it is the first to encroach on territory currently owned by the phone networks themselves.

Comments

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I like the sounds of this as well. I've used all the other things that google offers on the cell such as weather, movie listings, and all that. Just another great product that they are beating the competition to the punch

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The sad reality is that your phone service carrier is using 411 calls to offset its costs.

The companies that answer those 411 directory assistance calls get between $.18 and $.23 per call for live operator assistance.

Your carrier pockets the rest.

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late to the party my dear:

Free Directory Assistance: 1.800.373.3411
Free Information: 1.800.555.8355
Free Price Comparisons: 1.888.363.7822

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Its up to $1.99 per 411 call in our area...
Google to the rescue as always.

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$1.79 per 411 call on cell phone or listen to "your number look up was brought to you by company x and google" etc ill listen to it.

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Did google buy http://www.520find.com/ ? The website is no longer up and the number 1-877-520-FIND gets forwarded to the new google service. That's interesting.

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