I'm not sure how many of you have used the free GOOG-411 service before, but I've used it over a dozen times since its release. The speed and accuracy of the automated system is rather astounding, and the fact that you don't have to pay $1.25 just to get a phone number is what really catches people's attention.

Despite the fact that Google hasn't made an official announcement that a special interface for iPhone users has launched, it has. TechCrunch initially reported yesterday that an anonymous tipster informed them that it had launched, and sure enough, it had. The image to the right shows you what this interface will look like on the iPhone.

Yesterday Microsoft announced a new service called Live Search 411 which will be available soon.

So there a use for billboards after all! The fact of the matter is, billboard advertising is kind of "old-school" these days compared to the latest fad of web advertising. It's considered to be a more traditional method for advertising, but this hasn't stopped Google - King of advertising on the web, from using a billboard to promote their GOOG-411 service.

It's not very often that Google takes something out of labs, especially not two services at the same time. The Google Lab is considered Google's "technology playground." Instead of saying that a service is in beta (aside from Gmail), they say it's in labs and not quite ready for "prime time." The two most recent graduates of labs include Google Reader, and GOOG-411.

Tellme which was recently acquired by Microsoft, has released a new 411–like service for people on the go.  You can get information via voice, SMS, or even Mobile Web.