Farewell GOOG-411

TLDR: Alternatives:

"Anyway, if you intend to soldier on in the post-GOOG-411 world, here are your options:

- Use Google’s even older, text-message version of GOOG-411, which is still available. You can text, for example, “home depot dallas tx” to the address 46645 — that is, GOOGL — and you’ll be texted back with the information. Unfortunately, that’s nowhere near as quick or as hands-free as GOOG-411.

- Use the Google Mobile App. It’s available for Android, iPhone or BlackBerry. You speak what you want, just as with GOOG-411 (“CVS pharmacy San Diego”), and you’re shown the best matches on a map, complete with prominent, one-tap phone numbers.

Unfortunately, it’s not hands-free and it works only on those three app phones.

- Use Microsoft’s competing service, 800-BING-411.

BING-411 is a renamed version of TellMe, which Microsoft bought in 2008 for about $1 billion. (You can read about the service here. Or read my original 2001 Times review .)"