Call 411 for Maps

mjbrown — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:10:26 GMT

It’s kind of funny but things happen in waves don’t they? For instance the subject of Google’s 411 service has been cropping up on me constantly for the last week. People tell me, “Oooo, Google, they are so smart over there with their 411 thing” or “Ahhh, wow that is cool. Those Google guys are real innovators over there. Its too bad Microsoft can’t do this”.

Riiiiiiight….

I’m dead serious, people talk to me that way. Actually, we do have 411 as well. In fact, I would dare say that ours might be better than Google’s. <ducks> No really. Here’s a list of features.

Search by business name or type of business. You can even narrow your search by neighborhood.
Get maps and directions sent directly to your phone. You can also get traffic too.
Get the current and forecasted weather.
Get movie listings and even have the service tell you if there are still tickets, then connect you.
Share listings with friends so you both have directions on where you are meeting up.

Pretty cool stuff. So check it out. +1-800-CALL-411. You can also check out their web page to hear a demo at http://www.livesearch411.com/

Enjoy.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Virtual Earth

Scoble interviews Microsoft Search Executive Brad Goldberg

mjbrown — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:45:18 GMT

This sometimes rankles a few people when I say this, but I have a lot of respect for Robert Scoble. I was a huge fan of the work he did here at Microsoft when he worked for Jeff Sandquist over on Channel 9 and the both of them led something of a revolution at this company as they applied some much needed common sense to how Microsoft has dialogs with our customers and the community overall. I consider his book, Naked Conversations as required reading for anyone who works in an evangelism role here at Microsoft. For my part I very much try to emulate his approach to talking to our customers and the developers who create applications with Microsoft’s Platform and Services.

Anyhoo, Robert stopped by our area last week and interviewed our General Manager, Brad Goldberg about all the happenings of Search here at Microsoft. He even gives a shout out to Virtual Earth on our mobile search. I’m watching it now and it’s a telling and transparent view into what we’re thinking and doing.

Enjoy.

Mark Brown's Web Platform Blog : Google

Call 411 for Maps

Scoble interviews Microsoft Search Executive Brad Goldberg