• by October 8, 2004

Gmail, Google Print, talk of a potential Google Web browser, and now, Google SMS.

Yes, today comes word that Google is testing a service that will enable Web surfers to use wireless phones and handheld devices to access Google's Web search via text messages, short message service (SMS). Google SMS, described here, is supposed to offer business and residential listings, product prices, and dictionary lookups.

Here's how the service might work. Say you're on a business trip in Seattle and looking to dine on sushi in the Madison Park neighborhood. You could find a sushi restaurant by sending a Google text message with the words "sushi madison park seattle wa," or by typing in a ZIP code locator.

Google then returns a text message with information from its local search engine, Google Local. SMS searches could also be conducted for comparison shopping projects, particularly pricing data by using Froogle, Google's comparison shopping wizard.

As for the business model on Google SMS, Google says it's not getting a cut of the per message fee charged by wireless carriers. It also says advertisers won't influence search results on Google SMS. In other words, advertisers don't pay to be included and the service is free.

The service works with Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint - not bad - but it doesn't work overseas, yet. Google SMS represents the latest in a string of moves by Google to expand its sphere of influence beyond the world of search. Just the other day, Google said it will introduce Google Print, a new function that puts it squarely in Amazon territory: The function will be incorporated into Google search queries so that Web surfers can see book excerpts next to search results pages. Book excerpts will incorporate a link offering surfers the chance to buy books from online booksellers.