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Business, Spoken
Before Smartphones, an Army of Real People Helped You Find Stuff on Google
Jun 24, 2024
Discover the era before smartphones when real people assisted in mobile searches, offering witty responses and expert knowledge. Learn about the challenges of costly data plans and the transition to automated responses over personal interactions.
08:29
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Quick takeaways
- Before smartphones, human-operated search services like GOOG411 and 118118 provided information without internet dependency.
- Human-powered search services like AQA 63336 offered personalized responses and a unique touch that automated systems lack today.
Deep dives
Evolution of Mobile Search Services
Before the era of affordable mobile data, services like GOOG411 and 118118 provided mobile search options that didn't rely on the internet. People could call or text these services for answers to various questions, and behind the scenes, actual humans were employed to provide information. These services offered a way to access information on the go when using the internet on mobile devices was expensive. As data plans became more affordable and smartphones gained popularity, these text and call-based search services declined.
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Discover
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Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode