Google has launched “GOOG-411″, a phone version of its business search that uses voice recognition to work out what you’re trying to find. A bit like directory enquiries, but run by a robot.
At the moment, it’s only available in the US, so I used Skype (which retains the toll-free status of calls around the world, regardless of which country you’re calling from, in my case the UK). The number is +1 800 4664-411.
Here follows a transcript of the conversation.
GOOG: Calls recorded for quality. (beat) GOOG 411 Experimental. Which city and state?
ME: (pause) San Francisco, California.
GOOG: (electronic garble, synthesised voice) Torrence, California. (real voice) If that’s not right, say ‘go back’.
ME: Back.
GOOG: What business name or category?
ME: Go back. Go back. Go back.
GOOG: Going back. Try again.
ME: Manhattan, New York.
GOOG: (electronic garble, synthesised voice) Manhattan, New York. (real voice) Which business name or category?
ME: Hotels.
silence
ME: Hotels.
GOOG: (garble, synthesiser) Hotels. (real voice) Top eight results. (synth) (reads out results)
Computers will be computers.
