Re^3: [OT]: Google browser(Updated!)

in reply to Re^2: [OT]: Google browser(Updated!)
in thread [OT]: Google browser(Updated!)

One of Google's more clever, I think, ideas to collect data to boost that competitive advantage is GOOG-411. They provide, for free, telephone directory assistance. Why? From Wikipedia: "Google has stated that the company originally implemented GOOG-411 to build a large phoneme database from users' voice queries. This phoneme database, in turn, will allow Google engineers to refine and improve the speech recognition engine that Google uses to index audio content for searching."

Specific to Chrome, having the data collection built into the browser lets them even reach into the address bar of the browser for data, which I'm sure is a gold mine of valuable search related info for them for them.

Comment on Re^3: [OT]: Google browser(Updated!)

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Re^4: [OT]: Google browser(Updated!) by BrowserUk (Patriarch) on Sep 04, 2008 at 00:55 UTC
A database of voluntarily given voice prints and associated telephone numbers. Sounds like that would be awfully useful to Homeland Security also. Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error. "Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority". In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice. "Too many [] have been sedated by an oppressive environment of political correctness and risk aversion."	[reply]
Re^5: [OT]: Google browser(Updated!) by amarquis (Curate) on Sep 04, 2008 at 12:31 UTC
You know what, I'd assumed that they'd not been storing the data by individual phone number, but I'd not really thought about it. I just checked the EULA for GOOG 411: "If you choose to connect to a business through the GOOG-411 service, your caller ID information will become visible to that business. We do not share your information with anyone except in the limited circumstances as outlined in our privacy policy. To avoid having any information associated with your phone number in the future, just block your caller ID before you call...." I guess I'm naive, sadly.	[reply]

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