The Hindu : Front Page : Google launches ‘voice search’

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Sunday, Apr 06, 2008
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Google launches ‘voice search’

K. Srinivas Reddy

Google Local Information service on a toll free number 1800-41-999-999 was launched on March 31

HYDERABAD: Now you can google over phone in Hyderabad.

A year after it launched ‘voice search’ over phone service in the United States, Google launched the facility in Hyderabad. The beta version of the Google Local Information service on a toll free number 1800-41-999-999 was launched on March 31. The facility now is available from 8 a.m. to midnight 24x7.

Presently, Google is providing the local business information and movie show timings only. The Google chaps would give you address and contact numbers of any local business establishment and also the movie show timings.

The best part is the user calling the toll free number has an option to be connected to the local business he is looking for – again for free.The user also has an option of asking the Google to send the information over SMS to his mobile number, if he prefers. But the only irritant is that even the database of Google sometimes can have wrong numbers. When The Hindu tried to get the number of Yashoda Hospital in Secunderabad, indeed a number was sent – but a wrong one. However, on a second attempt, correct number was provided.

The SMS facility, would be of immense use to those on the move. Google would not only SMS the telephone numbers but also the complete address. Thus, ends the search for a ‘voice search’ facility in our city.

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