Even with computers on every desktop (and kitchen counter) and smart phones that can do everything but make coffee (though I’m sure that is coming soon) there is still a need for the occasional call to 411. In fact, I’ll be honest, I’m an addict when it comes to 411 service. It’s so much easier to call 411 and get the info with a hands-free headset than to navigate on a tiny screen while driving down the road (and much safer!).
Now it should come as no surprise that the old Ma Bell telephone companies love to charge for this service – have you made a call to 411 on your landline (remember those?) lately? If so, you know that you can get socked with an outrageous charge just to find a phone number. So when Google launched their 411 service it was an instant hit with me. Now I could use it anytime, anyplace without worrying about having to pay for it.
And so I did… and was happy with the service.. until Bing launched their 411 service. Then I was no longer happy – I was addicted!
Bing continues to impress me – more relevant search results, and the ability to find what I am looking for within the first ten results. That alone has made me a fan since day one. Today I came across a Twitter post about Bing 411 and had to try it out. I spent a good 15 minutes just playing around with it. This was what 411 should be – this wasn’t basic 411 from the phone company or the business-only 411 Google offers. This was 411+.
Weather, traffic – even cheap gas prices – all waiting for you to just ask for it. My first lookup on Bing 411 was for Copeland’s Auto Service in Boonville, MO. For some reason Google 411 has an awful time locating this business that has been around for over 10 years and it takes me at least 4-5 tries to get it to find it. Not so with Bing! The very first result was what I was looking for. Woo hoo!
Next I decided to have fun with the cheap gas locator. Now, granted, its still in beta – but sure enough it worked! I found a station near me in zip code 65201 that had gas for 3-cents a gallon cheaper than what I thought was the cheapest gas in town! Woo hoo!
About 5 minutes later I had deleted Google 411 from my cell phone and replaced it with Bing 411. Because, I’m telling you, this thing is just plain cool. It’s like that Black Eyed Peas song “Boom Boom Pow” – Bing seems so 3008 and Google seems so 2000 and late.
Interested in trying Bing 411? Just call 1-800-BING-411 and enjoy!
