Google 411 / Google SMS

Okay, this post is for those of you who haven't heard about Google 411 and Google SMS. This is MUST KNOW information for every person with a phone. I am continually surprised how many people do not know about it, so I'm posting here to make sure I do my part to spread the information.

Google 411 is a free service by Google to help you find a business you are looking for. It is very much like the information service you can call and, for a fee, have a business phone number looked up and connected to you. The difference? It's free! Just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) and you're all set!

Google SMS is even better than Google 411. Google SMS is another FREE service by Google. Essentially bringing the power of Google Search to your cell phone using text messaging. To use it, simply send a search query in a text message to '466453' (GOOGLE on most phones) and Google will respond back in a text message with the results. It is incredible. You can get local business listings, weather, dictionary definitions, sports scores, movie times, directions, and more. For example, if you were looking for a comic shop in Salem, you could send this to 'GOOGLE': "comics 97301". Seconds later you would receive 1 to 3 text messages with business listings as you would find in the phone book...delivered to your cell phone...free (text messages may have fees associated depending on your cell plan)! Want to know the weather report for Olympia? Simply text this to Google: "weather olympia". Don't know what 'bamboozled' means? Simply text this to Google: "define bamboozled". 

Wow...that sounded way more like a commercial than I would have liked. Sorry ;o)  I use this service all the time. It is really great and very convenient. Try it out!

Google 411 information

Google SMS information