Google launched Google SMS service for Indian mobile users. This Beta offering provides the power of Google Search to users’ fingertips. Users do not even need an Internet-enabled phone to access Google’s new service.
Through the ‘Google SMS’ mobile messaging service, users can get business listings and movie show timings, just by sending a text message to the shortcode, which is 54664 [5GOOG] from their mobile phones.
This service can even provide local information such as movie timings, restaurants, local hospitals and taxi services etc. Searching through the Google SMS service is simple. For instance, if user wants information about Pizzerias in Andheri West, user can type “pizza andheri west mumbai†and send a SMS to 54664. Google will reply with the list of pizza restaurants in that area.
“There’s no denying the importance of text messaging in India, and the launch of Google SMS is a natural next step for our mobile strategy,” said Vinay Goel, Head of Products, Google India.
“Millions of new mobile users are being added every month, and Google SMS will provide them with a quick and easy way to get the information they need when and where they need it,” added Goel.
The Google SMS service is currently available to Airtel, Aircel, BPL, BSNL and Reliance subscribers located at Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Users will be charged according to the carriers’ prescribed premium text messaging rates.
