Microsoft officially launched Live Search 411. Users can access Live Search 411 for free by calling (800)CALL-411 or (800-225-5411). Anyone dialing this number in the U.S. can use the number to connect to local businesses, retrieve local information, check movie showtimes, hear traffic updates, and listen to weather forecasts.
This technology was developed through the use of Tellme Networks Inc. technology, a company that Microsoft acquired in March 2007. Live Search 411 seems to be Microsoft’s response to GOOG 411, a similar service developed by Google Inc.
“Microsoft is building on several years of innovation in imagery and 3-D visualization, adding some of the most significant innovations to driving directions technology in the last several years and expanding how our current 185 million customers can experience the improvements to the core of Live Search to include access from a wider variety of clients, platforms and devices,” stated Satya Nadella, corporate VP of the Search & the Advertising Platform Group at Microsoft Corporation. “Collectively, these improvements build on the work we did in core relevance and differentiated vertical experiences, and are an important milestone in our efforts in delivering a comprehensive, innovative search offering that includes mobile, mapping, Web and local services for customers to find what they need, when they need it, on any device.”
