Google India has introduced voice search in Hyderabad. People in Hyderabad can now dial in to a toll free number 1 800 41 99 99 99. The Vodafone India subscribers will not be able to use the service as Vodafone does not allow toll free numbers dialing. The service, similar in offering to JustDial, will offer search results for local business search.
So if you are looking for Chinese food in your city, all you need to do is pick up your handset and call 1 800 41 99 99 99 and Google will be at the other end providing you with the results.
Rajiv wrote about Yahoo introducing voice search yesterday and now we have Google offering a similar feature. After Microsoft and Yahoo tweaked their web search algorithm to compete with Google, the web search has become more or less a commodity with no real differentiation between the three biggies’s searches. Although, Google still leads the majority of searches, primarily because of the brand value.
The next logical battleground is Mobile phones. And the players have already started to offer some real good stuff here as well.
This is filled with spelling errors guys…Correct it before the world finds out
It is really disappointing to see that a hi-tech company like Google has resorted to such a LOW-TECH approach of putting a call center for local search service. What’s the use of hiring all those highly paid IITians and PhDs.
Google (in India) is yet to show any technological innovation or business model innovation. It is trying to do what Justdial has been doing for over 15 years. At least companies like Ubona in Bangalore have a technically superior approach. Try their Foodie Hotline service for Bangalore’s restaurants by calling 080-40700000 and you’ll see why. Simple automated interface, superb voice recognition. Even on the web, Ask Laila provides a better experience than Google Local.
Good to see Indian startups providing better technology and services than the world’s most admired new economy company.
@Awasthi, I am not sure if Google has a call center. Even if it does, whats the harm. If it solves a real information problem, let it be.
@Author, I am not sure if Google commands majority market share just because of the brand. It do commands better quality and speed, IMHO.
I agree with Abhishek. This is not a battle of technology, it is Local Search.
Let the emphasis be on CONTENT whether the users get the desired, specific information and quickly…ofcourse!
Lets see how Google scores with all the IITians and PhDs they’ve hired with this new phone service.
Btw, why such a low score for information on phone. Someone told me that in the US, despite having so many local search websites, their directory search service on 411 receives over a Billion calls a year.
I think every medium has its own audience.
Also, i personally prefer phone over IVR driven search coz an operator assited voice service can get you information in less than half the time vis-a-vis the amount of time one would spend in going through the voice recognition crap.
Looks like, Google understands that, which is why the voice service.
Kindly Notified for Openings in Call Centre @ Hyderabad.
Kindly Inform for Job Openings for Hyd Google Call Centre.
Regards,
Rinkey
Initially I was using Just Dial. But Google local has replaced my quest for local information in last one year. Reason for my quick substitution is that it is more informative (as free gainer of information-zero revenues from vendors) along with hassle free calling back instead of sole replying a mere sms.
Remarkable Feature: Toll Free Number 1 800 41 99 99 99 & Google is replying on other side