This is certainly a strong selling point for Google SMS search in India as it offers a cheap alternative and equaly good or better service.

Google is not the first to offer such service in India. Microsoft teamed up with Vodafone  to offer similar service for a cheaper price, 30 paise per SMS, however, this service was limited to Vodafone users. Other services include OnYoMo and Guriji SMS services on the same lines.

Being the best in the Search industry I certainly expect much better service and information offered by Google SMS search.

Here are some of the things you can search using Google SMS Search

• Local (Pizza, Restaurants in your area)
• Cricket (Scores, etc..)
• Railways PNR Status
• Train Schedule
• Business Search
• Stock Quotes
• Horoscopes
• News, Movies
• Flight status
• Etc…

Click here to see the complete list.

I did the next logical thing.. test the service. The first 2 queries returned "No Results", my mistake maybe. I sent the third query which returned irrevelant results. Not only that but it continued to send me SMS stating that the results were not found. I hope it stops at some point.

We will have to use this service for a little longer before we start making comments on its usefulness and functionality.

If you’d like to try this service you an either visit Google India SMS page or just SMS 9-77-33-00000

[Update]: 20 minutes later, I still continue to get "No results found" SMS from Gogole. Somebody did’nt do their job well!