If you’re as old as I am, you can probably remember calling “Information.” It was a friendlier phone company then. No “What city, please?” said in a disinterested voice. It was INFORMATION. Before computers were commonplace in homes, there was the information lady. 411. “Do you know the capital of Missouri?” “What time is it?” “Can you tell me how to call another country?” These were real information operators – not simply people who typed in a request to a number database. And they were free.
Now it costs me $1.25 in my area to find my neighbor’s misplaced phone number. Or $1.50 from my cell phone. The cell phone charge irks me more because at home I can power up the computer and look it up. When I’m out, I’m at the 411 operator’s mercy. When the charge was first introduced, everyone was still allowed ten free 411 calls per month before the charge. It went to five, three, two, and now they all cost. I understand the economics of it, especially when abuse is added in, but the goodwill that friendly (and always intelligent) voice added was priceless.
Apparently the folks at Google remember “Information” fondly as well. They’ve launched a beta of Google Voice Local Search. Simply dial 1-800-GOOG-411 from any phone (including your cell) and ask for a business by name or category. “Car Repairs” or “John’s Auto Body” will both work. Then they’ll connect you, also at no charge. You can also get the information sent to your blackberry or your text-capable phone.
So, it’s voice recognition powered and not the homework helper / weather lady / operator. It’s free, and that’s a return to the past I love to see.
Google Voice Local Search is still in beta and still experimental. It may not be available in all areas and for all businesses (I tried it here and it DID work.)
Link to Google’s Information Page for VLS