• WHAT: A free 411 service from Google
• WHY: No applications to download, no ads to listen to
• COST: Zero (carrier text messaging rates apply)

Google is just full of little surprises.  I've written before about their wonderful services available via SMS (text) HERE.  They offer all kinds of neat information including a directory service, translations, definitions, currency conversions, general lookups, area codes, zip codes and so much more.  I find myself sending 2-3 messages to Google every day for quick, painless answers to questions that I often have while on the run (i.e., away from my computer). 

But there's one service that has been conspicuously absent from Google's offerings until recently - a voice-driven directory service to get phone numbers of businesses.  While it's been out for a little while I didn't want to post anything about it because it's still in their experimental stage and that means some glitches, occasional outages and more.  However, it's been quite stable for a while and I've been using it with great success, so it's time to fill you in.  It's Google's version of 800-FREE-411, which I've also written about in this blog HERE.  Now, 800-FREE-411 is a wonderful service, one that you should have in your speed dial even if you start using Google's because there's no telling when Google decides to pull the plug, or is working on it and it is, thus, unavailable while they're doing their magic. 

However, when this one works, it's a thing of beauty.  Here's why:

1. It's totally free, although, of course, airtime charges do apply.  You'll spend less airtime getting your numbers this way, though, than through 800-FREE-411 or any other service because...
2. There's no advertising (yet).  That's right - not only is this totally free it's also ad-free.  Google has made it clear that there's no guarantee of it remaining ad-free in the future, but for now it is, and it's a real treat to not have to listen to the (sometimes inane) ads that pervade other services.
3. The system, much like everything else Google does, is wonderfully thought out.  First you are asked for the city and state of the business you want.  Speak normally into the microphone on the phone (I experimented with mine using the speakerphone and my Jawbone headset - excellent success with the speakerphone, but surprisingly very little success with the Jawbone).  The system repeats the city and state back to you in a voice you can completely understand, unlike some of the more robotic voices that inhabit competitive services.
4. If there are multiple matches (for example, I searched for the name of a chain restaurant and came up with four in the local area) the system speaks the choices to you - at any time you can either press the keypad or speak the number of the choice you want.
5. Once you've selected your choice you will hear a detailed blurb about the business - it's full name, address, phone number, etc.  At that point you have a choice of getting connected - automatically - to that business, or receiving a text message with the information.  You can do both, which I have done many times. 
   
6. When the text message arrives it contains a link to Google Maps with the location(s) noted on the map.  You can then easily get driving directions (and real-time traffic, a new addition) to that location from wherever you want.

There's a lot you can do with this service if you combine it with others.  For example, I received a text message containing information about a location that I needed to go for a business meeting.  I clicked on the link in the text message using my finger (I'm loving the iPhone more everyday and this is one of the reasons why) and up popped Google Maps.  At that point I touched the "Directions to Here" link at the bottom of the detailed information screen; after that screen popped up I clicked the bookmark link that appears in all Google Map fields while using the iPhone and brought up my home office location.  I then clicked the "Route" button and instantly got a route on a map with a real-time traffic option.

Now, not everyone's going to have an iPhone to use for the last step incorporating Google Maps, but the other functions work perfectly with any cell phone.  This is a fast, accurate and easy way to get contact information for any business, then get maps, directions and instantly connected to that business on the same phone call without having to even touch the keypad. 

Another amazing, free service from Google.  As I've stated before, I own some stock in the company (very little - at $500+/share who can afford more than a little??) and so there's a vested interest in seeing people use the services they offer.  But in this case there's no charge and no advertising, so using it really isn't doing anything to boost Google's revenues.  Even if did I'm sure it would be minimal because of the limited number of users (for now). 

Try this service - it's easy to get hooked on it.  I did.