Web search engine provider Google Inc. has unveiled an "experimental" voice local search function on its Google Labs website. Although a US-only service for now, the system lets users hunt for companies by name – just say "Giovanni's Pizza" to get the listing free of charge, for instance. Say "text message" to receive SMS details about the listing. Other voice search providers offer equally advanced functions, but Google's experiment could be important: it indicates that the company is delving even deeper into the communication services realm.

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