1-800-GOOG-411 April 11
Google has just launched Google Voice Local Search, and experimental phone-based search system.
According to the website:
Google Voice Local Search is Google’s experimental service to make local-business search accessible over the phone.
To try this service, just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) from any phone.
Using this service, you can:
- search for a local business by name or category.
You can say “Giovanni’s Pizzeria” or just “pizza”.
- get connected to the business, free of charge.
- get the details by SMS if you’re using a mobile phone.
Just say “text message”.
I’ve tried it out a few times, and it seems to work alright. The system was down for a while, but that’s to be expected with a service that’s less than a week old.
To hear a test call, listen to the MP3 below. Here’s the text message I got from Google during the call:
Subject: Burger King
Burger King
128 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02108
617-556-8299
