Stacy Randolph

A PM thinking about usability, user experience, program management, community and stuff to be creative about.

The 411 on Live Search's 411

LiveSearch411Windows Live launched Live Search 411--a free directory service--in October. Besides business info, you can also get business info, but you can get maps, weather forecasts, movie tickets, travel info and text messages of listings--I don't care as much about that, but still cool. 

I use TMobile and when I'm out & about needing to find something, I usually call 411. They charge me something like $1.99 for directory assistance! Well, I'm a frugal gal, this doesn't sit well with me.

The audio 'clues' that you hear along the way are a nice touch. For example, when I asked about my local weather forecast, I heard birds in the background--this lets me know that I'm in the 'weather' section. Or when 'scrolling' through listings, you hear a little beep noise to differentiate between each listing. Back in the day, I helped setup Scottline - an IVR system for John L. Scott Real Estate. The user could enter a Scottline code advertised on yard signs and would hear a voiced description of the property. IVR's are not easy, so I recognize that these little details take intent for a pleasant user experience and effort to follow through. 

Okay, well now you know that I don't have web search enabled on my phone (because it costs extra and the UI sucks), nor do I have an iPhone (mmm...iPhone...AT&T only...doh!) or a GPS device (on the X-mas list). Sometimes you just need to call for a business location when you're driving in circles. That's why I like this service. It's free and easy. You just have to remember (or store) the phone number.

Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters! No, Ghostbusters are SO 80's, call instead: 1-800-CALL-411

Posted: Nov 20 2007, 07:29 PM by srandolph | with 1 comment(s)
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srandolph said:

Okay, I tried this over the holidays. Great idea, but not the best service.

1. I tried to find the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Lynnwood, WA. It totally didn't understand me. So, I tried saying "government" thinking that might get me to a non-business category and it was confused. I hung up and called 411 and paid the $1.99

2. On Thanksgiving, we wanted to go to the movies. So, I called to see what we could find and it easily found theaters near me. However, moving between theaters via the menu system was a pain--I wasn't sure how to get back and when I did get there, it didn't take me to the theater selection menu as expected. You almost needed a Windows tree structure in your head.

Also, I made the mistake of trying to repeat the movie list to my sweetie--but the service mistook my voice as a prompt and asked if I wanted to start over. I understand, but grr...

# November 26, 2007 3:00 PM