Google is truly everywhere and can do just about anything. I discovered a handy little trick today with my cell phone and it interested me enough that I decided to see what all Google and can do and I was amazed at everything that was out there.
First for the trick; Google SMS will allow you to send a text inquiry from your text message enabled cellular device. Simply text message your search query to 466453 (“GOOGLE” on most devices), and
Google will text message back the results. You can inquire on local business information, weather, airlines, directions, area codes, zip codes, etc. To see a list of sample keywords go to the following web site: http://www.google.com/intl/en_us/mobile/sms/index.html for example: You are traveling to Miami and want to know the weather there. Send a text message to 466453, containing “weather Miami.” You will receive a text message indicating the current weather, plus a short term forecast.
I have two friends who recently started their own promotions business. They asked me for help with their access and storage needs and I led them to Google. With Google, these partners are able to share nearly everything and access it all from anywhere. They are using Calendar to track their events and bookings. They are using Docs to share excel spreadsheets that hold contact and budget information as well as to store their contracts.
They have been having a great time using Sites to create their own website. They haven’t done much as far as showing it to the public yet but it has become a great learning tool and soon they will be ready to show their website to everyone. However, to make their website easier to share and for people to remember, they are planning on using a web hosting site to host their site. They are posting pictures of their events using Picasa and can share this with everyone.
Perhaps the best thing about Google though is the website can be fun and the people working there always seem to be having fun. I recently stumbled across a slide show from Tech Republic. This slide show covers everything from Google in Pig Latin or Klingon to fun with Google Maps as they set up a street show for Google’s arrival.
As you can see, you really can use Google for a little bit of everything. Remember that if you are ever in Sioux City and looking for great Mexican food. Text Mexican 51101 to 466453 and it will lead you to La Juanitas, Navarette’s, or a host of other great places. Trust me, any of them are well worth the visit.
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It is interesting that this week the subject of Google would appear on one of our, digital communications, blogs. Just this morning I received an announcement from UMUC about a lecture that took place on their campus September 25th.
ReplyDeleteUMUC hosted Google Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist Vinton G. Cerf in their Orkand Distinguished Lecture Series. Cerf is considered the one of the “Fathers of the Internet” for his role in co-designing the TCP/IP protocols. He talks about some great things Google is doing and what we will be seeing in the future. Personally I like his explanation of Google Chrome.
Fortunately the university video tapped the event so that anyone can view it using real player. If you would like to view the lecture webcast visit http://www.umuc.edu/orkandlecture
I remember this summer when I was going to a Twins game with a friend and he was texting a number to get updates about his fantasy baseball team. I have also seen commercials for KGB which sounds a little bit like this Google stuff. It does not surprise me that Google would extend to include something like this. Information is so readily available for us, I wonder if encyclopedias are soon to be a thing of the past.
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