Sunday, October 8, 2006

Google’s Click-to-Call Cancelled?

This is one of the stranger messages appearing on the official Google Blog – note the last line of this unsigned post (update: that post has been removed now, see below for updates):

Google Click-to-Call project cancelled

10/07/2006 05:07:34 PM
After concientiously considering, Google has decided not to continue with Google Click-to-call project. The project has been in the media on last days because of the notice of Google agreement with e-Bay. We finally consider click-to-call agreement with e-Bay a monopolistic aproach that would damage small companies in the CRM area.

This message has been translated using Google language tools.

What’s click-to-call anyway? Here’s a screenshot from February this year, followed by Google’s help entry on this:

We’re testing a new product that gives you a free and fast way to speak directly to the advertiser you found on a Google search results page – over the phone.

Here’s how it works: When you click the phone icon, you’ll be invited to enter your phone number. Once you click ’Connect For Free,’ Google calls the number you provided. When you pick up, you hear ringing on the other end as Google connects you to the other party. When they answer, you simply talk normally as you would with any other call.

Update: Commenters suggest the Google Blog might’ve been hacked, and that the post is fake. I’m waiting for a reply from Google on this.

Google’s Click-to-Call Ca ... by Philipp Lenssen | Comments (50)

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