Google has launched a beta test of a new service that allows mobile users to access its database from their handsets using short message service.
Google SMS, which debuted Thursday, delivers localized business and residential listings via Google Local and price comparisons through Froogle.com. Users can also access a stripped-down version of the regular search engine, which offers excerpts from the results without returning links to Web sites.
The offering represents Google’s broadest push yet into the mobile space, addressing an issue some analysts say has been largely ignored-the ability for users to easily access localized information on the go. IceRocket, an Internet search engine launched recently by billionaire Mark Cuban, offers a similar service via e-mail.
Google SMS is accessed by dialing GOOGL (46645) and texting a query that includes a product or service and a ZIP code or city. For instance, a user could send “chinese 94102” for a listing of Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. Each search returns a maximum of three listings.
Businesses do not pay to be included in the listings, and wireless users will incur no charges above the text messaging fees assessed by their carrier. Google SMS is available through the top six U.S. mobile carriers-it is not yet available outside the country-but Google said it is not taking a percentage of SMS charges, which typically range from 2 to 10 cents per message.
The service does not include any advertisements yet, although the company indicated it may offer ads in the future. Details of the service are available at www.google.com/sms/.
