Google SMS and Google Local Feb03 '05

Google Short Message Service (SMS)

If you send a text message from your mobile phone to the number 46645, you will be returned with an interesting result.

A text message will be sent back to you within seconds of you sending the original.

The number, 46645, is Google’s SMS number, which you can use to conduct a simple search query, for information such as restaurant listings, or just the closest place to get a beer and watch sports.

Google Local

In order to find information on places or businesses near you, you must include the city and state, or zip code in your text message search query.

Examples

Let’s say I am visiting Salem, Massachusetts. I want to find a local pub to have a beer, and watch some sports.

I pull out my cell phone, and type out this text message:

beer sports salem ma

Only seconds after sending this text message to 46645, I will receive a text message with this included:

Google Local: JD’s
Sports Bar 157 Lewis ST
Lynn, MA 01902 (781) 598–4385
4.1 miles, SW

This is Google Local in action.

And you don’t even have to search local. You can search for pretty much any information in the entire world, including definitions, prices, zip code search, and much more:

price chicago bulls tickets

This query will return:

(2 of 2) Washington Wizards
at Chicago Bulls Tickets,
26.00, StubHub.com * Orlando
Magic at Chicago Bulls Tickets,
30.00, EZTicketSearch

Resources

Google SMS is explained in full detail at Google.com.

Google Local can also be accessed from a computer.

Categories: Search , Technology

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Man I love Google. I can't even begin to fathom how much I have learned from sites I have found through Google. And this is pretty cool too, but I ... Read more.

From what i've read and heard, Google has made good and innovative use of their information. But i'm in the UK and Google SMS hasn't reached us yet ... Read more.

That's just awesome. Seem too good to be true. Do you have to pay for that service? Also this amazed m ... Read more.

Farheen, I have had that happen once. I just never got a response from my query. I, too, thought something was wrong with the netw ... Read more.

I'm sending this page to Google. Let's see if they have anything to say. ... Read more.

I just tried that, that is so cool, and i always used my t zones to look up info. ... Read more.

matthom is published and produced by Matt Thommes - an independent publishing enthusiast, mobile blogger, content creator, informative writer, web developer from Chicago. Never one to conform, Matt intends to promote the effect the web has on our lives, in an effort to intensify, instruct, and clarify all that is happening around us.

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