TellMe to Launch Free DA/Mo-Lo Search

Spotted this morning via TechCrunch, speech and directory assistance automation provider TellMe is about to launch a beta product called TellMe by Mobile. It’s free, direct-to-consumer, voice-enabled directory assistance (DA) or “mobile local search” if you want to “sexify” the product.

It works by using voice search and permits business name or category lookups. There are also interactive maps and driving directions.

TellMe currently powers traditional DA for AT&T and Verizon’s landline 411 service. The company also has an enhanced DA product with AT&T wireless (formerly Cingular). And TellMe runs a consumer voice portal (1-800-555-Tell) that offers a range of information from news and weather to travel.

To use TellMe by Mobile, you’ll need a java-enabled phone. But once downloaded, there’s no number to call. You simply hold the “talk” button and conduct the search. The requested information then appears on your screen. While downloading a client is something of a barrier for consumers, once downloaded the service potentially “preempts” other 411 services because it’s more immediate.

Read the rest of this post at SEL.

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