The latest scoop on google is that Google will be now available on sms. The service would be providing local information to users through sms. One does not even require a GPRS enabled handset to access this service. Google has tied-up with five operators Reliance, Bharti Airtel, BSNL, BPL and Aircel who would be providing this service. The users would be charged between 80 paise and Rs 3 per SMS depending on the operatorSo Is Google going local??
They very well could be. Google will be providing information on movie timings, restaurants, local hospitals and taxi services among others. Online, Google has a local search engine which provides similar services.
Conclusion –
While operators, companies etc are thinking of making high end applications which will work only on smart phones, Google best known for its simplicity has leveraged the 25 millions sms’s per year market, and has made it accessible to over 200 million mobile users in India which is far greater than the online Indian population. As for app companies and operators who are looking to make these high end apps, remember the ‘KISS’ formula.
