Microsoft Responds to Google Voice Search,Tellme Launches Free 411 Business Search

Tellme Networks has announced the launch of a new service that enables users to find business information on the go. The service is plain vanilla 411, but allows users to access information through voice, SMS, or Web (TellMe client required).

Users could request information by responding to voice prompts and Tellme returns business listings based on the users location. Dial 1-800-555-TELL to use the service. TellMe also provides detailed maps of the location. TellMe was recently acquired by Microsoft to enter the Free411 market. The price tag was rumored to be around $800 million. Tellme claims to answer 80% of the automated 411 calls in the U.S., serving 40 million users each month.

The service launch comes hot on the heels of Google’s Voice Local Search service, 1-800-GOOG-411. Jingle Networks another upstart in this area, was the first company to offer 411 services for free in U.S. undercutting the existing $7 billion paid 411 market. This feat enabled them to capture more than 6% of the entire 411 market, serving 17 million calls in Feb 2007.

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