Google SMS Applications is a set of apps that lets users access Google services such as Search, Gmail, Calendar, Voice and Blogger via SMS.  Chances are that many readers won’t have heard of it, but it’s particularly useful for who have outdated phones or anyone looking for a way to scrimp on their data plan, since the service is completely free – just send your request to GOOGLE, or 466453, then Google will reply with the answer to your request (the reply is also free as well).

Or at least, it was. But unfortunately for those who actually use it, Google might well be shutting down its entire SMS service soon, as Google SMS Search is no longer accessible and if you visit the Google SMS Application page and click on SMS Search, you’ll be directed to a non-existent page.

Does this mean Google is turning into an elitist and removing access to its services for poor or stingy people, or is this just a play to push another one of their services?  Hopefully it’s the latter.

In November of last year, Google launched Free Zone in developing countries like the Philippines.  Google Free Zone offers free internet access to pseudo-smartphones or ‘feature phones’ that have internet capabilities without the apps.  All a user needs is a Google account to access Gmail, Search, or post/update on Google+ for free.

Though Free Zone is optimized for feature phones, it can still be used on smartphones. So if you’re a bit stingy and you don’t want to use your data plan to search on Google, access your Gmail or Google+ account, and when no WiFi connection is available, you’ll find you can stil use it.

Google SMS Search – One less way to find out VERY IMPORTANT stuff!

How to access Google’s Free Zone

It’s quite simple, really.  All you need is an internet-enabled phone or feature phone, or a smartphone if you wish, together with a Google account.  Using your default browser, go to http://g.co/freezone, then follow the on-screen links to get started, or you can send a direct link to your phone to access Free Zone from here.

As of now, Free Zone is only available via four carriers: Telkomsel in Indonesia, Globe in the Philippines, 8.ta in South Africa, and Dialog in Sri Lanka. However, with the demise of Google’s SMS services, we could well be seeing Free Zone roll out in other countries soon.