As of today, Google’s free telephone directory assistance service, GOOG-411, is no more. Launched in 2007, the voice-recognition service allowed for free directory assistance calls for business listings by calling 1-800-GOOG-411. Just say the name of the business you’re looking for, and the city and state where it’s located, and the service would connect you at no charge.
I was a frequent and very happy user of the service. I always appreciated the fact that it allowed me to avoid paying the fees charged by our cell phone and landline service providers. Our cell phone provider, Sprint, charges $1.79 per directory assistance call; our landline provider, AT&T, charges $1.50 per local directory assistance call and $1.99 per national call. Other providers charge even more. Plus, unlike competitive services, GOOG-411 didn’t require that you listen to ads.
The Real Reason for GOOG-411
Apparently, Google’s intention all along with GOOG-411 was to use the service to gather voice samples in order to hone its voice recognition capabilities for smartphones. Now that Google has learned what it needs to learn, it has shut down GOOG-411.
The company’s enhanced knowledge base has enabled it to develop smartphone applications such Voice Search and its recently released Voice Actions for Android. With Voice Actions, you can use your smartphone to call any business just by saying the name of the business.
For those who don’t own a smartphone, Google still offers a text-based directory assistance service. Text Google at 466453 and they will text you back the phone number and address for the business you’re looking for.
A GOOG-411 Alternative
Of course, texting while driving is not a great idea. Fortunately, for those without a smartphone, there is a really good alternative to GOOG-411. It’s Bing-411 (1-800-Bing-411). On this free voice-recognition directory assistance service for business listings from Microsoft, there are no ads to listen to and the service can connect you. You can also get traffic reports, driving directions, and more.
If you need a residential listing, 1-800-YELLOWPAGES and 1-800-Free-411 offer business listings and residential listings for free. However, you have to listen to two ads each time you call, and not only that but the ads are presented in the annoying tone of those late night television commercials that breathlessly implore you to “Rush $19.95 before midnight tonight.” Yes, free is better than fee, but the ads are a bit painful on the ears.
I’m thankful that I hardly ever need residential listings. And I’m especially thankful that Bing-411 does everything GOOG-411 did, and more.
Of course, Bing-411, 1-800-YELLOWPAGES, and 1-800-Free-411 can be used from cell phones as well as landlines.
What about you? Are there other free directory assistance services that you prefer?
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