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Google To Shut Down 411 Service

Posted by Soulskill on from the guess-we're-back-to-calling-the-ghostbusters dept.

taco8982 writes "After three years of providing free directory assistance in exchange for voice samples, Google has announced plans to shut down the GOOG-411 service, in order to focus on 'speech-enabling the next generation of Google products and services across a multitude of languages.' The service will close on November 12th."

5 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. what? by bhcompy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Never even heard of it. I wonder how many dozens of obscure Google services there are out there

  2. Smartphones by MrEricSir · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It seems like smartphones are making voice calls obsolete. GOOG-411 is a victim of http://www.google.com/

    --
    There's no -1 for "I don't get it."
  3. Sad day by AaxelB · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I for one am sad about this. I'm one of those holdouts who still doesn't have a (i|g|smart)phone, so it was nice to be able to call Google up to contact the restaurant I want to get reservations at, or anything like that. I can understand why they canceled it (they get way more voice data from Google Voice, I'm sure), but still, I'm a bit sad.

    Maybe I'll finally get a more intelligent phone now...

    1. Re:Sad day by IronChef · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Texting is expensive and not a good idea while driving. I'll also really miss GOOG-411, with which I could search for a listing and get connected all over the handsfree.

  4. Re:Sad Day! by ReallyEvilCanine · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It was free because they spent money to provide you a service in exchange for the voice clip they got from you. When you get stuff for free, it's not because you're the customer; you're the product.