Google on Thursday launched a beta test version of Google SMS, a new service that lets users of wireless devices query Google for specific information, such as business or residential phone listings, product prices and word definitions, the company announced. Google SMS also can be used to solve mathematical calculations, to look up area codes and zip codes and to receive snippets of Google search engine results.
Using a mobile phone or a handheld device that supports SMS (Short Messaging Service) text messaging, users can tap Google SMS through specialized queries that trigger very specific replies. For example, entering the word "pizza" along with a zip code prompts Google SMS to return related business listings in that geographical zone. Likewise, entering a name along with a city, state and/or zip code yields residential phone listings.