Google Has Heard Enough, Shutting Down GOOG-411
It was just back in 2007 when Google launched the GOOG-411 service to consumers. A user would call, ask about the number for a business, and Google's magic computers would spit out the required information. At the time, Google's voice recognition seemed like magic, and it only got better. But today the Google 411 team has announced that, sadly, GOOG-411 will be shut down on November 12.
The 411 number wasn't created as a public service, rather it was a test bed. From all the voice data, Google was able to create excellent voice to text engines that we now enjoy in Android with Voice Actions, Voice Input, and Voice Search. Google isn't abandoning the technology behind GOOG-411, it is just redirecting focus to a new generation of mobile products.
Users without access to Google's smartphone voice features can still get some help. Sending a text to 466453 (GOOGLE) with a location and business, will get you a reply filed with information. We're sorry to see GOOG-411 go, but also excited to see what Google does with voice recognition next.

Comments
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obet
November 04, 2010 at 2:19pm
TRY GO800 or 46800 to connect. Text HELLO to 46800 (GO800) and your phone rings in seconds. Try other keywords like CHASE, PIZZA, HOTEL, LAWYER, WALMART, MOVIE etc... It's awesome, free and it works well. To further learn about this service, YouTube it..thanks!
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aaronsmith102
October 12, 2010 at 12:43pm
Have you guys tried the new toll free service by Justdial? Unlike 1800GOOG411 they not only offer human assisted service but also connect your calls to the local vendors. This is simply amazing as his service offers to clear your queries in the matter of 60 seconds.
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TheElite1x721987
October 09, 2010 at 7:23pm
My company won't be too happy with this. My company is too cheap to pay for calls to a 411 service (despite that fact that a lot of employees need to use it, since my company will NOT allow any employee to browse ANY websites from a work terminal) so they have EVERYONE use the GOOG 411 service. I'm not sure what they will do after Nov 11th....
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Synux
October 09, 2010 at 11:48am
Google provided a free service and then decided to take it away. It is not as though Google owes us anything and in fact this notion of end-user entitlement is unsettling. Be grateful for what you were given and move on when it ends.
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grorc
October 09, 2010 at 7:05am
Those evil bastards. All they want is their piece of flesh. I cannot wait till they say, "Well we learned what we wanted from gmail, thanks everyone." <click>
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johnnyathm1
October 09, 2010 at 2:19am
Admins...kill these accounts:
http://www.maximumpc.com/user/siunyil (pornographic avatar)
http://www.maximumpc.com/user/shoponline
http://www.maximumpc.com/user/ugg_outlet
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Techrocket9
October 08, 2010 at 4:37pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Well, at least I have voice actions on my Android phone.
Still, it will be less convienent to have to look stuff up for people than just telling them to call GOOG-411
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jtrpop
October 08, 2010 at 3:33pm
Bing 411 still works: 1-800-CALL-411 (1-800-225-5411)
I liked Goog-411, but I feel Bing 411 does a better job with driving directions, movie times and what not.
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