Google experiments with 411 phone service
Cory Bergman April 10th, 2007
Call 1-800-GOOG-411 and you can test out Google’s new 411 phone directory service. I just tried it for “KING 5″ in Seattle, and the robotic voice gave me eight options, just as if I had searched for the same term on Google Local. The first three options were correct. A little clunky when compared to talking with a real person, but hey, it’s free. And you can also ask for the results to be sent to your cell phone in a text message. Nifty. Meanwhile, Microsoft recently acquired TellMe, a directory assistance provider and voice-activated mobile search firm.
Adds lovethisworld in comments: “First I dialed the wrong number GOOG is 4664 not 4004 (as the person who so kindly explained for clearly the severalth time told me). Dialed the right number, it worked. What is that sound? Sounds like the operator is scatting while searching.”
Adds Steve: “I like how the guy makes a fake computer noise while it searches, the beedeleboop thing - it’s hilarious.”
8 Comments Add your own
1. The Tony | April 10th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Now Google knows where you are and who you’re calling?
Who’s running this company, Carl Rove?!
2. love this world | April 10th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
First I dialed the wrong number GOOG is 4664 not 4004 (as the person who so kindly explained for clearly the severalth time told me). Dialed the right number, it worked. What is that sound… sounds like the operator is scatting while searching….
3. James | April 10th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
You can also try 1-800-555-TELL (Say, “Business Search”) and 1-800-FREE-411.
4. Cory | April 10th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I wonder who has the 4004 number. Must be royally pissed by now.
5. Don Day | April 10th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I just tried “KTVB” in Boise, ID and it got it right on the first try.
I also got “Google” in Mountain View, CA and got it on the first shot.
6. steve | April 10th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I like how the guy makes a fake computer noise while it searches, the beedeleboop thing - it’s hilarious.
7. Anonymous | April 10th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
You can enter a zip code rather than a city. You can also press “1″ when asked for a business name, then spell it out on your keypad.
8. Jake | April 11th, 2007 at 11:16 am
you can also text a message to GOOGL (the numeric equivalent of those digits) and get a response back. You can use it as a phone book, dictionary, etc. The service is free and it is called google sms.
Leave a Comment
(Please keep URLs out of the comment body or the spam filter will block you.)Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed