With the speed of today’s bustling world of constant connection and hectic schedules, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. And although not all of us are on the frontlines of technology; with navigation in our cars or internet on our cell phones, there are a few (free!) services available to all of us that help make our lives on the go a little easier. These great services will help keep you connected, informed and in the know.
Possibly the most entertaining information technology available, Cha-Cha is a service available to cellular users that answers questions via voice message or text. Anyone with a cell phone can call or text Cha-Cha and ask essentially any question from the practical to the outlandish. Cha-Cha will text back the answer in a matter of minutes. The service is offered completely free of charge and is devoid of any advertisements. From locating Mexican food at 1 am in Scottsdale to who won the World Series in 1983 to the ingredients in oatmeal cookies, I have never been disappointed by this service. This service is perfect for those who lack internet capabilities on their cell phones or navigation in their cars. If you need directions, answers to random trivia questions, local movie times or a just few jokes to quell the boredom of a long car ride, call 1-800-224-2242 or text 242242 to get connected to Cha-Cha.
My 511 is a free phone and Web service that provides traffic and transportation information to San Diego County. The service is available 24 hours a day by phone by simply calling “511” or logging onto the internet at www.511sd.com. 511 San Diego provides real time traffic updates, driving times and information on public transit in San Diego County; users can access everything to bus and train routes and fares to carpool and biking ride-match referrals. Internet users can customize a 511 page online that stores common routes and information for quick access to current traffic conditions and can set up automatic updates to receive traffic information on their cell phones. 511 is a free service that proves invaluable to those on the go.
1-800-FREE-411 is an information service available via internet or telephone. It provides business or personal listings to users without the charges associated with traditional 411. Callers must listen to a short advertisement after which they can ask for the number to either be automatically dictated or sent via text to their cell phone. Users can also ask for directions to a location or find directions to their listing online. Although callers must listen to a short advertisement, it is well worth saving the $1.50 of customary 411 to get your listing or directions free of charge. Dial 1-800-FREE-411 to access this free information service.
Google SMS. Since its inception about ten years ago, Google has become the most popular search engine in the world turning Google into a household name. Their ever increasing features and services have come to include the Google SMS service, a text inquiry service anyone can access via cellular phone. By text messaging your search query to 466453, users can ask Google for information from dictionary definitions to flight information to currency conversions to real time sports information. The service is offered free from Google and continues to add new features and updates.
