Comments on: AT&T Acquires InFreeDA, Gets Into Free 411 Business http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 09:38:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: TechJuicer » Skype Using Jingle's Free 411 Service http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484755 TechJuicer » Skype Using Jingle's Free 411 Service Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:59:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484755 [...] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. [...] […] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. […]

]]> By: Ajax Girl » Blog Archive » Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484744 Ajax Girl » Blog Archive » Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:48:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484744 [...] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. [...] […] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. […]

]]> By: Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service | moraaz.org - feed all tech! http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484706 Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service | moraaz.org - feed all tech! Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:21:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484706 [...] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. [...] […] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. […]

]]> By: Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484673 Skype To Use Jingle’s 411 Service Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:00:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1484673 [...] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. [...] […] This news comes very quickly after Jingle announced a patent on ad-supported 411 calls. Founder Scott Kliger said the company would be using the patent to go after competitors in the next few months - those competitors include Google and AT&T. […]

]]> By: Jingle Awarded Patent For Advertising-Supported 411 Calls » Developages - Development and Technology Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1432146 Jingle Awarded Patent For Advertising-Supported 411 Calls » Developages - Development and Technology Blog Sat, 16 Jun 2007 07:53:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1432146 [...] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance [...] […] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance […]

]]> By: Just a random blog ! http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1429948 Just a random blog ! Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:33:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1429948 [...] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance [...] […] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance […]

]]> By: Ajax Girl » Blog Archive » Jingle Awarded Patent For Advertising-Supported 411 Calls http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1429942 Ajax Girl » Blog Archive » Jingle Awarded Patent For Advertising-Supported 411 Calls Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:31:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1429942 [...] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance [...] […] Networks, operator of the free directory assistance service that has been emulated by AT&T, Google and others, was awarded a U.S. Patent “for providing telephone directory assistance […]

]]> By:   07: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without:2007年我不能离开的Web2.0网站 by I TechCrunch:麦斯贝日志 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1382725   07: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without:2007年我不能离开的Web2.0网站 by I TechCrunch:麦斯贝日志 Fri, 18 May 2007 07:46:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-1382725 [...] last year. They now account for over 3% of the U.S. market for information calls, and AT&T has announced that they are going to copy them. That’s good news for consumers, who have to pay up to $3.50 per [...] […] last year. They now account for over 3% of the U.S. market for information calls, and AT&T has announced that they are going to copy them. That’s good news for consumers, who have to pay up to $3.50 per […]

]]> By: samuel http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-987920 samuel Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:13:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-987920 hello ladys, my name is samuel aminu.i am engineer in my country. i came from lagos nigeria. and i am here looking an seeking for ladys to marrie in my country and for more details below. if you are intrested on me you can contact me on my phone number:+2348066082529 or you can send me an text message to me on this number :+2348066082529 yours faithfully samuel aminu hello ladys,
my name is samuel aminu.i am engineer in my country. i came from lagos nigeria. and i am here looking an seeking for ladys to marrie in my country and for more details below.
if you are intrested on me you can contact me on my phone number:+2348066082529 or you can send me an text message to me on this number :+2348066082529
yours faithfully
samuel aminu

]]> By: samuel http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-987780 samuel Mon, 19 Feb 2007 18:55:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-987780 hello ladys, my name is samuel aminu.i am engineer in my country. i came from lagos nigeria. and i am here looking an seeking for ladys to marrie in my country and for more details below. if you are intrested on me you can contact me on my phone number:+2348066082529 or you can send me an Email: olamstore@yahoo.com yours faithfully samuel aminu hello ladys,
my name is samuel aminu.i am engineer in my country. i came from lagos nigeria. and i am here looking an seeking for ladys to marrie in my country and for more details below.
if you are intrested on me you can contact me on my phone number:+2348066082529 or you can send me an Email: olamstore@yahoo.com
yours faithfully
samuel aminu

]]> By: Tim http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831545 Tim Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:42:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831545 Randy, I may be reached at tmlong74@verizon.net Thanks! Randy, I may be reached at tmlong74@verizon.net

Thanks!

]]> By: Tim http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831533 Tim Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:41:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831533 Randy, your company is very interesting, would you be able to provide more information? Randy, your company is very interesting, would you be able to provide more information?

]]> By: Tim http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831506 Tim Wed, 31 Jan 2007 04:37:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-831506 Reading all these posts is great inofrmation, as we are in start-up phase for 1-800-ASSISTANT, a free directory assistance service. Reading all these posts is great inofrmation, as we are in start-up phase for 1-800-ASSISTANT, a free directory assistance service.

]]> By: Kirill - employee #2 @Infreeda http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-733422 Kirill - employee #2 @Infreeda Wed, 17 Jan 2007 04:50:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-733422 I was very surprised to learn of the vanity number choice. Yes, the vanity number is chosen is very bad. It is going to kill the potential viral effect likely up to 60%, and substantially increase the marketing spending. Jingle has a great phone number. I recall, back in the 90’s a telephone based yellow pages service came out using a vanity number with yellow pages wording: not much success there. Yet you never know. A Korean telco few years back implemented free 411 service and leveraged their sales force to subscribe local businesses – and are now highly profitable running free 411 pay-per-call business model. No doubt, AT&T can definitely use their size to make this a profitable nationwide business. I was very surprised to learn of the vanity number choice. Yes, the vanity number is chosen is very bad. It is going to kill the potential viral effect likely up to 60%, and substantially increase the marketing spending. Jingle has a great phone number. I recall, back in the 90’s a telephone based yellow pages service came out using a vanity number with yellow pages wording: not much success there.

Yet you never know. A Korean telco few years back implemented free 411 service and leveraged their sales force to subscribe local businesses – and are now highly profitable running free 411 pay-per-call business model. No doubt, AT&T can definitely use their size to make this a profitable nationwide business.

]]> By: Randy Haldeman http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-642615 Randy Haldeman Tue, 02 Jan 2007 04:35:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-642615 My company is serving the ads for AT&T's 1-800-YellowPages service, and I'd like to clarify a misconception about the "40 seconds of ads". Over 90% of the callers will probably just hear one or two ads. A sponsor ad in the beginning and then an ad after they request their number. That's 15 to 20 seconds of time to save $1.50. A pretty good hourly rate. However, if a caller does not have a specific business in mind, and is searching for a business in a particular category, such as "Restaurants in Bakersfield", they can listen to up to three ads and then choose which of those to be connected to. Thus, these "extra" ads are not burdensome, but actually welcomed. They give the caller more choice and a broader spectrum of to choose from. My company is serving the ads for AT&T’s 1-800-YellowPages service, and I’d like to clarify a misconception about the “40 seconds of ads”.

Over 90% of the callers will probably just hear one or two ads. A sponsor ad in the beginning and then an ad after they request their number. That’s 15 to 20 seconds of time to save $1.50. A pretty good hourly rate.

However, if a caller does not have a specific business in mind, and is searching for a business in a particular category, such as “Restaurants in Bakersfield”, they can listen to up to three ads and then choose which of those to be connected to. Thus, these “extra” ads are not burdensome, but actually welcomed. They give the caller more choice and a broader spectrum of to choose from.

]]> By: Alec Andronikov (Founder, inFreeDA - 1800-411-METRO) http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-608098 Alec Andronikov (Founder, inFreeDA - 1800-411-METRO) Wed, 27 Dec 2006 20:23:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-608098 I personally am not sure why AT&T would pick a vanity number that is so long and cumbersome to dial. Agree with Michael - more and more devices do not have the underlying characters behind numbers, although a GOOD vanity number definitely contributes to a higher call volume (faster viral effect via word of mouth, smart marketing). However, it is crucial for your vanity number to be either 7 letters or 3 memorable digits and 4 letters - to my best knowledge, carriers like Metro PCS do not support any ANIs longer than (area code) + 7 digit ANI Voice recognition is definitely not there, but it seems Jingle wouldn't care as much about churn rate (or quality) at this point. I personally am not sure why AT&T would pick a vanity number that is so long and cumbersome to dial. Agree with Michael - more and more devices do not have the underlying characters behind numbers, although a GOOD vanity number definitely contributes to a higher call volume (faster viral effect via word of mouth, smart marketing).

However, it is crucial for your vanity number to be either 7 letters or 3 memorable digits and 4 letters - to my best knowledge, carriers like Metro PCS do not support any ANIs longer than (area code) + 7 digit ANI

Voice recognition is definitely not there, but it seems Jingle wouldn’t care as much about churn rate (or quality) at this point.

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-606707 Paul Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:32:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-606707 Zaid Farooqui and finke- Google did have 877-GOOG-411. Now 877-520-Find, according to the below: http://gesterling.wordpress.com/2006/10/30/whos-behind-877-520-find/ Zaid Farooqui and finke-
Google did have 877-GOOG-411. Now 877-520-Find, according to the below:

http://gesterling.wordpress.co.....-520-find/

]]> By: Gilbert http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-606233 Gilbert Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:53:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-606233 Success; Columbus, OH. I've used 1-800-Free-411 and almost always get the operator to help me, which is no problem. I don't know if it's just me, but the voice recognition doesn't seem to get what I'm saying. As far as the ads go, they're as easy to not listen to as all the other ads that I see all day long everywhere I look. Success; Columbus, OH. I’ve used 1-800-Free-411 and almost always get the operator to help me, which is no problem. I don’t know if it’s just me, but the voice recognition doesn’t seem to get what I’m saying. As far as the ads go, they’re as easy to not listen to as all the other ads that I see all day long everywhere I look.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604850 Anonymous Wed, 27 Dec 2006 07:57:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604850 It's a misnomer to call this an acquisition. Infreeda (1-800-411-METRO) has been out of service for months and was _liquidating_ the technology. I was contacted as a potential buyer and they were selling their assets at rock-bottom prices. Free directory service is a promising area but Infreeda was not one of the winners. It’s a misnomer to call this an acquisition. Infreeda (1-800-411-METRO) has been out of service for months and was _liquidating_ the technology. I was contacted as a potential buyer and they were selling their assets at rock-bottom prices. Free directory service is a promising area but Infreeda was not one of the winners.

]]> By: Tarun Chandel http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604364 Tarun Chandel Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:47:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604364 I hope similar things start taking place soon in India as well. I hope similar things start taking place soon in India as well.

]]> By: Fashion Industry Ceo http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604313 Fashion Industry Ceo Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:36:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604313 40 seconds of ads...I think not :) ...but good acquisition none the less 40 seconds of ads…I think not :) …but good acquisition none the less

]]> By: Survival Shows http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604304 Survival Shows Wed, 27 Dec 2006 05:35:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604304 Voice recogniztion + any search engine = voice directory of large magnitude! Voice recogniztion + any search engine = voice directory of large magnitude!

]]> By: Eric Shapiro http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604061 Eric Shapiro Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:46:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604061 As Michael says, 40 seconds of ads is asking a lot, and would kill the service in my opinion. I would never use it if it took that long to get information. Imagine going to Google and waiting 40 seconds before your search completed, you’d already be at Yahoo or some alternative. As Michael says, 40 seconds of ads is asking a lot, and would kill the service in my opinion. I would never use it if it took that long to get information.

Imagine going to Google and waiting 40 seconds before your search completed, you’d already be at Yahoo or some alternative.

]]> By: Dr. Finke http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604056 Dr. Finke Wed, 27 Dec 2006 04:45:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-604056 I think google should have bought them. I think google should have bought them.

]]> By: Zaid Farooqui http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-603850 Zaid Farooqui Wed, 27 Dec 2006 03:59:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/12/26/att-acquires-infreeda-gets-into-free-411-business/#comment-603850 My guess: Google or Yahoo(always acquisition-hungry) will grab Jingle in coming year. -Zaid My guess: Google or Yahoo(always acquisition-hungry) will grab Jingle in coming year.

-Zaid

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