Google’s Free SMS tips in Africa

Google has announced the launch of Google SMS in Africa, where cell phones are prevalent but the internet penetration is low. Google SMS is a suite of mobile application, which will allow people to access information, via SMS, on a diverse number of topics including health and agriculture tips, news, local weather, sports and more. Most mobile devices in Africa only have voice and SMS capabilities, and so they are focusing our technological efforts in that continent on SMS.

Another service Google SMS Tips enables a mobile phone user to have a Web search-like experience. You enter a free form text query, and Google's algorithms restructure the query to identify keywords, search a database to identify relevant answers and return the most relevant answer.

The Internet search and advertising giant expects to improve search quality and the breadth and depth of content on Google SMS, especially on Tips and Trader. Google SMS is by no means a finished product, but that's what's both exciting and challenging about this Endeavour, the company says.