Google launches 800GOOG411
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.
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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.
Just tried it out. Smooth transaction. A+++++. Will do business again.
Most likely Google is using Nuance Speech Technologies.
look for Google to expand to other Speech based offerings in the future.
Just tried it. I had no idea these alternatives existed. Better than Verizon, and Free.
Sold.
This is a direct attempt by Google to make inroads by Google on TELLME’S turf !
Google is going with the best speech recognition technology in the world !
NUANCE SPEECH TECHNOLOGIES !