Computer Web search leader Google Inc on Friday stepped up an experiment to use speech recognition on telephones so consumers can ask for local information, in a challenge to directory assistance providers.

The company is inviting US callers to dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) from any phone to test a voice-activated service free-of-charge that it calls Google Voice Local Search, which is available on its experimental Google Labs site.

"Using this service, you get fast access to the same local information you'd find on Google Maps," an explanation of the the new experiment said on the Google Labs site. "You don't need a computer, you don't need an Internet connection, and you don't even need to use your cellphone keypad," it said.

Details are available at http://labs.google.com/goog411/.

Google's experiment comes weeks after Microsoft Corp agreed to acquire voice search firm Tellme Networks, in a deal sources said is valued at more than $800 million. The transaction is Microsoft's largest acquisition in five years.

Improving quality and falling costs of voice search technology are enticing Internet players Google, Microsoft, and rival Yahoo Inc. to expand beyond pay-per-click Web search advertising business into pay-per-call marketing.

Kelsey Group analysts estimate the US directory assistance market generates $9.4 billion a year. Worldwide, the market rings up $13 billion, according to data published by Opus Research.

Google has staged on-and-off again tests stretching back to 2002 of ways to allow phone users to use their voices to ask for information, rather than telephone keypads or other more cumbersome approaches. The prior test remains up on the Web at: http://labs1.google.com/gvs.html/

Matt Booth, an analyst with Kelsey Group in Pasadena, said Google's potential entry into the directory assistance market could transform the economics of the business, where callers to conventional '411' services can expect to pay $1 or more.

Booth said it costs such services at least 16 cents per call to pay human operators to answer such calls.

By hooking the automated service into advertising-supported local business information, Google could be able to slash the costs of providing directory assistance to around 2 cents per call, while generating around 10 cents for each business referral, Booth said, citing estimates by investment bank Thomas Weisel.

"This would allow Google to put its Internet ad business onto mobile phones," Booth said. "It's voice in and data out," he said, contrasting the voice search service to how users type keywords into a browser using classic Google search services.

Start-ups that offer free directory assistance include 1-800-FREE411, a service Jingle Networks Inc.

In a blog post, Booth said Google is running advertising tests on Jingle Networks (800-Free411) in two local markets.

Google Voice Local Search can be used from either mobile phones or land lines. Mobile phone callers can request listing details to be sent as a text message to their phones.

Callers dial the Google number and can ask for a pizza parlor, dry cleaner other other business by name, Google said. The service runs on computers and uses no human operators.

"Eventually, I think you will be able to call up and do a voice search and have general Google results come back," said in a phone interview.

Google said it is seeking to fine-tune the computerized system to improve how the service recognizes users' requests. Voice Local Search is available in English, in the United States, and offers only US local business listings for now.

The Mountain View, California-based company cautioned that Google Voice Local Search remains an experiment: "It may not be available at all times and may not work for all users."

Google doesn't charge users for the toll-free call or for connecting the caller to the business. Regular phone charges may apply, depending on the user's telephone service provider.

Courtesy : Expressindia.com

The slowdown in the US economy along with domestic factors like service tax on leased and rented premises and imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) may impact revenues and earning growth rates of all major IT companies of India, including Infosys, Satyam, TCS and Wipro.

A report by HSBC Securities along with Capital Markets (India) estimates that revenue and net profit growth rates for eight IT majors will decline in the range of 500-1,500 basis points in 2007-08 since the US remains the largest market for Indian IT services companies, accounting for 60-70 per cent of exports.

In the year 2006, Technology/IT spending was only 11 per cent higher than in 2000, with contribution from computer and software services increasing to 40 per cent in 2006 from 36 per cent in 2000 (implying lower volatility).

The share of hardware and communications declined, reducing contribution from volatile sectors. The report also maintains that offshore vendors are growing at a considerably faster pace than their global peers and are gaining market share from incumbents.

The report said service tax is the next dampener.

An Emkay Research states the 12.5 per cent service tax on leased and rented premises could have a negative impact of 50-100 basis points on the IT majors.

The impact of MAT on earnings of IT companies could range from 1-6 per cent, taking into account a company's exposure to offshore revenues, which account for 40-70 per cent of the total revenues.

Courtesy : Expressindia.com

It’s no secret that milk and milk products major Amul has outlets in every corner of India — numbering about 800. These gigantic numbers have given them a pan-India reach. Ahmedabad alone has 100 Amul parlours,while Vadodara has about 40. And now, Amul plans to add another 3,000 parlours.

Amul’s vast consumer reach is not hidden from foreign giants also. And, foreign companies wanting to make inroads into India have often expressed their willingness to tie up with the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) — that markets Amul dairy products — so that they can get a ready consumer market.

US chocolate major Hershey too has often expressed its desire to tie-up with Amul. Buoyant with these feelers, GCMMF is slowly readying itself for tie-ups with foreign brands.

General Manager (marketing) R S Sodhi said, “Amul plans to add 3,000 parlours in 2007-08. We have invited letter of interest for setting up parlours. Competent parties will be awarded Amul franchises.”

He said their aim was to reach out to the maximum number of consumers, which could be done by setting up corner shops in every locality.

And, he also said the investment in this was comparatively cheap. By investing Rs 1.25 lakh one could earn of Rs 10,000 a month.

Sodhi also said tie-up plans with Hershey were still in a preliminary stage, and it was difficult to say at this stage what type of alliance they were looking at.

He, however, admitted that Amul and Hershey officials had held three rounds of meeting but nothing concrete had come out of it.

He also preferred not to comment on Hershey inviting Amul to visit their US plant.

Courtesy : Expressindia.com