Updated: Ever since Microsoft bought Tellme Networks, the big question is what would Google do in response? It became a little clearer today when Google announced a free 411 service, which is a fraction of what TellMe-Microsoft has to offer. More details here.
I had been mucking around with this service last night, and didn’t end up writing about it because it is something that has been speculated for a long time. There were reports of 877-520FIND earlier. Google had hired a few folks out of Nuance, a speech recognition technology company last year, and perhaps the new launch is a culmination of their efforts.
Initial tests of the experimental service are like any new Google offering: they have promise to get better. The barrier has been set quite high by Tellme-based offerings, though they are not ad-supported. There is nothing to stop Microsoft from launching an ad-supported 411 service. Still, Google’s new ad-supported 411 service is an attempt by the company to extend its search-and-advertising franchise to the voice domain, indicating that the company has grander ambitions. (Or delusions, if you are a skeptic.)
The new offering is also a way for Google to needle the incumbent phone companies (not exactly a new fight for the search giant) by hurting the lucrative 411-business. Regardless, this is negative news for free 411 start-ups that have been building ad-supported 411 services. It is hard to figure out if anyone is actually making money on these services.
PS: Sorry for not offering more analysis right now, since I am judging the enterprenuer idol at UC Berkeley. See where I was on Justin.TV.
Interesting, a probable competitor to 1800-FREE-411. Speculation of voice/audio advertising?
I still like Business Search on Tellme better (1-800-555-TELL).
“See where I am on Justin.TV.”
Not clear.
Elaborate!
Go to http://www.justin.tv – and watch the live video stream, Om is on the right side of the table.
Go check out the Justin.tv site, and you’ll probably see Om on the video feed.
[...] Google Labs has debuted a test version of a free 411 service today: dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) to access it. There’s more info on the FAQ page. The local business info comes from Google Maps/Google Local. Another example of Google moving into a market and potentially disrupting it? [via] [...]
[...] 6th, 2007 Om Malik reports on Google’s beta free 411 service. Call 800-GOOG-411 to get free business [...]
google voice local search…
speaking of which google launches another free service called “google voice local search”.
“it is an experiment on google labs that offers free 411-like service. with google voice local search, you get fully-automated, fast access to same local-bus…
[...] [via GigaOm] [...]
Just tried it out. Smooth transaction. A+++++. Will do business again.