Google SMS Service for Africa

Google has unveiled a new service designed to provide information via SMS to cellphone users in Africa, where mobile handsets are prevalent but Internet penetration is low.

In a blog post, the company points out that, "At Google we seek to serve a broad base of people - not only those who can afford to access the Internet from the convenience of their workplace or with a computer at home."

The company also launched a service called Google Trader, an SMS-based application that helps bring together buyers and sellers of product or services, from used cars to livestock to jobs. It also launched Google SMS Tips, a service that allows mobile phone users to have a Web search-like experience. With the latter service, a user can enter a text query and Google return relevant answers after searching a database.

To read the article titled, “Google brings SMS service to Africa,” click here.