Text GOOGL

I recently noticed that all my mobile phone text messages have gone to the same recipient lately – Google.

Instead of dialing 411 for information and paying a $1 charge, now I always text GOOGL.

A recent example: I needed the number for Ginza Restaurant in Bloomfield to make a reservation. But I was traveling in my car and didn’t have the phone number.

So I sent Google a text message. I do this pretty often, apparently.

To: 46645 (the equivalent of GOOGL on the keypad)
Message text: “ginza, bloomfield ct” (You can also put in the zip code if you know it – “ginza, 06002″)

Google responded with another text message in about 15-20 seconds. And the information Google provided was on the money (and free!)

It’s such an improvement over Verizon Wireless information at 411. Every time I used that service, the Verizon operator was either unable to find a listing for my request or would give me the WRONG number and then charge me (!) for useless information.

Does anybody else use GOOGL on their cell phone?