Google SMS - forget 411, get free phone numbers, addresses, driving directions, movie showtimes, weather and stock quotes, and more!

  This is pretty amazing stuff here!  Google has created a new service called Google Short Message Service (SMS) which allows you to get tons of information for free by sending a query as a text message from your cell phone.  That’s right – you no longer need a browser to search google, you can just text your query to them at 46645 (GOOGL).  And you no longer need to pay expensive directory service charges to get a phone number or an address while using your cell phone either.  You only pay for the cost of the text message (and google’s responding text message) – which generally is about 2 cents a pop, or free for the many folk who have unlimited text messaging as part of their cell phone plans.  Lost?  No map?  Get directions.  Wanna catch a movie?  Get theaters and showtimes. 

From Google’s website:

What is Google SMS?

Google SMS (Short Message Service) enables you to send queries as text messages over your mobile phone or device and easily get precise answers to your questions. No links. No web pages. Just text — and the information you're looking for:

• Get local business listings when you're on the road and want to find a place to eat.
• Obtain driving directions to get from point A to point B without having to ask for directions.
• Find movie showtimes and theater locations of movies currently playing near you.
• Check weather conditions and 4-day forecasts to plan your day.
• Study the latest stock quotes and stay on top of the market.
• Get quick answers to straightforward questions.
• Compare online product prices with ones you find in retail stores.
• Look up dictionary definitions to expand your vocabulary or prove a point.

How do I use it?

Enter your query as a text message. Send the message to the US shortcode 46645 (GOOGL on most phones). Receive a text message (or messages) with your results, usually within a minute. Results may be labeled as "1/3", "2/3", etc. To get Google SMS help info sent directly to your phone, send the word 'help' as a text message to 46645.      Try their online demo.

Want to learn more?

• Find more information with sample queries
• Download their wallet-sized Tips Sheet. [pdf]
• Frequently Asked Questions.
• Google SMS is available on all major carriers.

Comments

[Bryce]

Editor Please Contact me at my address above. I like your site and want to get some information from you. Thanks

[Bob Roth]

4INFO (shortcode 44636) has a similar text message offering, but provides a few services that Google does not: sports scores ("packers" "nfl"), fantasy stats ("joe crede" "priest holmes"), flight times ("swa san jose san diego") and a beta version of mobile download search. All these services can be accessed via sms (44636), wap (http://wap.4INFO.net ), or email to [email protected].

Why 4INFO instead of Google?
“When asked recently for the address of a trendy downtown Manhattan club called Butter, both 4Info and Yahoo! located it on the first try. But Google sent back results better suited to baking.”
- Wendy Widman, Forbes.com. 8/3/2005