LAGUNA HILLS, Calif.-Interchange Corp. launched a localized text-messaging search service that allows wireless users to find products, services and businesses from their handsets.
The provider of local and national paid-search services unveiled SMS Local, which accesses listings by product, service, business name and location via the shortcode 56225 (LOCAL). Users submit the type of information they’re seeking-for instance, “parking near LAX” or the name of a city and type of business-and the service returns information including business name, address, phone number and distance from the user.
The service is free except for applicable carrier charges.
“This represents a strategic step in our mission to enable consumers and businesses to find and connect with each other anytime, anywhere,” said Heath Clarke, Interchange’s chief executive officer. “Our goal is to make the … shortcode as ubiquitous to SMS directory assistance in the future as 411 is today.”
The service is the latest effort to get consumers to use their handsets to access localized information. Google launched a mobile search service last October, and Yahoo! immediately followed suit with a similar offering.
