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1-800-Google Launches

Posted by Zonk on from the crying-with-information dept.

The Webguy wrote to mention a C|Net article talking about Google's newest toy - Local Voice Search. The service is dirt simple: you call a 1-800 number and, via voice recognition software, say the category of business you're trying to reach. You can also try for a specific name, though the C|Net blogger had some problems with that. The Google Blog has been updated with details as well: "Google Voice Local Search lets you search for local businesses from any phone and for free. If you're in the US, call 1-800-GOOG-411 and say what you want to find. Here are some of the features -You can find a business listing by category. Just say "pizza," for example. You can send the listing details to your mobile phone via SMS. The service is fully automated, so it doesn't rely on human operators. It connects you directly to the business, free of charge."

7 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. Hello, Google? by bensafrickingenius · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Nookie."

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    I am not left-handed, either!
  2. So if the this is completely free of charge..... by 8127972 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    .... just how does Google plan to make money from this? Sure it takes away business from traditional directory based searches, but I still fail to see how the cash that those services would get end up in Google's pocket. I'm sure that if I'm missing something that /.'ers will point out what that something is.

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    This is my opinion. To make sure you don't steal it, it's covered by the DMCA.
  3. It's in response to a Microsoft move. by Animats · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's their answer to Microsoft's acquisition of TellMe. (1-800-555-TELL). Presumably, like TellMe, after a while they will add ads.

  4. Re:So if the this is completely free of charge.... by the_13th_saint · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I see it as a way for them to know what people are searching for, just like their google search engine. You'd be surprised to know how much that sort of information can be worth to companies.

  5. Re:I wonder... by SagSaw · · Score: 5, Funny

    For fun, I tried "Prostitutes". The #1 match:

    International Aid, a local Christian charity.

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    Come test your mettle in the world of Alter Aeon!
  6. Hello Google? by i_ate_god · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm feeling lucky

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    I'm god, but it's a bit of a drag really...
  7. interesting by cashman73 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Tried the number, and I'd say it works pretty well. I searched for "pizza" in "Scottsdale, Arizona", and it gave me quite a listing. I was also impressed that I only had to say "Flagstaff", and it knew automatically that it was in Arizona also (although there is also a Flagstaff, Maine, but I think that's a ghost town these days) ...

    Google also recognized the term "brewpub", and located my favorite one, too! :-)

    Sadly, they didn't understand my search for, "beer and hookers." But my search for "prostitites" in Scottsdale resulted in a response of, "We didn't find any exact matches, but here are a couple that come close ..." I got a kick out of the fourth listing they provided, which was for the Alliance Defense Fund,. . . (no joke ;-)

    An an unrelated note, if all of use call this number tonight, do you think it might be a first to "slashdot" a telephone? ;-) If we can slashdot Google's number, we should have CowboyNeal post a Telemarketer of the Week's number on slashdot ... try to bring down some truly useless and evil people,... :-)