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Monday, October 11, 2004
Google SMS is da’ buggy whip ... oh yeah ... I’m talking the reappearance of a tool, or is it a toy, from another age. Sure, Google's latest is, just like a buggy whip, simple enough to use. Just enter your query as a text message on your phone ... try "define buggy whip" ... and send the message (in the US only) to 46645 (GOOGL on most phones). Google notes on their SMS page that you can get dictionary definitions to expand your vocabulary or prove a point, get local business listings when you're on the road and want to find a place to eat, and compare online product prices with ones you find in retail stores. Ok but, I’m just not sure I really need the information underload it currently delivers ...especially if that information is wrong. Entering and sending 02719 produces the response that this is the zipcode for Acushnet MA ... sorry not so ... 02719 is zip for Fairhaven MA, Acushnet’s zip is 02743 ... and I know this because I queried these numbers using Google Search on the web.
I’m wondering if Opportunity and Spirit have found the real Google Lab ... not the one in Mountain View ... because some of the latest offerings from Google seem like they were designed by Martians. Yes, I love the basic Google Search; AdWords, AdSense and of course Blogger are brilliant; and I suppose Froggle has it’s uses; but the awkward Gmail and the redesigned Groups, where you can find some Google SMS discussion if you're so inclined, and the failures by Google to integrate all their packages are a goke.
By the way Google SMS did get back to me quickly with the answer on buggy whip as "a horsewhip once used by a driver of a buggy; since buggies have been replaced by cars the buggy whip has become a symbol for anything that is hopelessly outmoded". Hmmmm ... does this prove a point?
I’m also wondering if those folks at Mountain View or wherever have heard of VoiceXML and if they realize we don’t need no stinking keyboards?
I’m wondering if Opportunity and Spirit have found the real Google Lab ... not the one in Mountain View ... because some of the latest offerings from Google seem like they were designed by Martians. Yes, I love the basic Google Search; AdWords, AdSense and of course Blogger are brilliant; and I suppose Froggle has it’s uses; but the awkward Gmail and the redesigned Groups, where you can find some Google SMS discussion if you're so inclined, and the failures by Google to integrate all their packages are a goke.
By the way Google SMS did get back to me quickly with the answer on buggy whip as "a horsewhip once used by a driver of a buggy; since buggies have been replaced by cars the buggy whip has become a symbol for anything that is hopelessly outmoded". Hmmmm ... does this prove a point?
I’m also wondering if those folks at Mountain View or wherever have heard of VoiceXML and if they realize we don’t need no stinking keyboards?
Comments:
Gmail awkward? Not sure where you're getting that one; I have had an account for a few months now and don't know why anyone would want to use any other web-based email client. Oh, and as for the voice-over XML, I suppose that would be brilliant if you are willing to pay a subscription fee for it. As it is, this, like many of the other Google Labs products, is in testing; that is why it is called a "beta" product, after all. ;)
Awkward for me meant learning a new format that didn't seem as easy to use as Yahoo ... email links not as easy to find because they are staggered, labels and not folders, threaded mail, not integrated with other tools such as address book (now added) and calendar (why the rush to get gmail out without these ... some buzz before IPO I suppose) ... and of course this could all be me falling victim to being an "old dog".
You can "experience" useful free voice recognition at Tellme (1-800-555-TELL) where sports, news, and weather are available ... web site is http://www.tellme.com/home.html . Lots of info on VXML at http://www.w3.org/TR/voicexml20/ or of course http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=vxml . I don't see why Google would need to charge for this, even though Yahoo is charging for what they've got, as Google could easily insert adverts into the voice content they provide ... something they can't do very well with SMS. Hey, Google or Yahoo could even offer to dial the advertiser for you as part of their service.
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You can "experience" useful free voice recognition at Tellme (1-800-555-TELL) where sports, news, and weather are available ... web site is http://www.tellme.com/home.html . Lots of info on VXML at http://www.w3.org/TR/voicexml20/ or of course http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=vxml . I don't see why Google would need to charge for this, even though Yahoo is charging for what they've got, as Google could easily insert adverts into the voice content they provide ... something they can't do very well with SMS. Hey, Google or Yahoo could even offer to dial the advertiser for you as part of their service.
