Fetch Information Fast with Google SMS

It always surprises me how few people know about Google SMS, arguably the most useful cell-phone service on the planet. If you know how to send a text message, you can retrieve a wealth of valuable information: local business listings, stock quotes, driving directions, flight status, airline contact info, language translations, and, most recently, maps. (See the site for a full list of information categories.)

Suppose you just found out your flight's been canceled and want to call the airline -- but don't know the number. Just create a new text message, tap out "northwest," and send it to 466453 (the same as spelling out G-O-O-G-L-E on your keypad -- easy to remember, no?). In mere seconds you'll receive a text message containing Northwest's toll-free number. You can work the same wizardry on flight status, as David described in an earlier post: just text the flight number.

Google SMS is free to use; you pay only the usual text-message rates charged by your carrier. Head to the Google SMS site to learn more about using it. If you're the forgetful sort, there's also a handy cheat-sheet (note: It's a PDF file) you can print and stow in your wallet.