Google offers SF homeless free voicemail: “Don’t be evil” or smart gimmick?

February 28, 2008 | MG Siegler | Comments |
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googlogoGoogle’s motto “Don’t be evil” seems to be getting substantial weight behind it today as Google is announcing life-long phone numbers and voice mail for all of San Francisco’s homeless population.

If they accept the number, homeless people could call in from any phone to receive their messages. Perhaps more importantly, having a phone number will also allow the homeless to fill out job applications and go to clinics for tests that require a phone call to share results.

You have to hand it to Google, this move looks absolutely great for them — but is there a flip side?

Well if the picture (seen below) used on MSNBC’s coverage of the story is any indication, this is also a promotional gimmick of sorts to further the company’s GrandCentral service.

GrandCentral was acquired last year by Google. The service allows users to sign up for free phone numbers that can redirect to their actual phone numbers so they don’t have to give those out on the web. Google just last week opened up GrandCentral access to bloggers (our coverage).

update: As Sean and Allen point out in our comments, GrandCentral has offered this free voicemail to the homeless before in the pre-Google days.

update 2: Google’s Matt Cutts points us to Community Voice Mail, a non-profit with a mission of providing 24-hour voicemail access to people in crisis.

googvm


[photo via MSNBC]

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About the Author, MG Siegler

MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.

  • Dave!
    Well, um, of *course* it's a promotional gimmick. But does that really make it any less useful to the homeless people who will be able to take advantage of it?

    *Anytime* a corporation gives or does something charitable, there is a promotional aspect. Otherwise, they'd all donate anonymously.
  • Very true Dave, just thought I'd point that out for those not versed in such observations.
  • GrandCentral offered the same promotion when it launched, so I find this to be a little funny. It worked on the PR front the first time around, so Google decided to give it another try.

    What happened to the homeless that got voicemail for life from GrandCentral the first time around?

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=...
  • you do realize that grandcentral has done this since day 1 right?
  • @sean and allen - thanks guys, i'll update with that.
  • You might also want to add some context/background links. http://www.cvm.org/ is an interesting site, for example, about community voice mail and how it can help people.
  • @matt - thanks, good background I'll put that in there as well.
  • Aaron
    Google's motto is "Don't be evil," not "Do no evil."
  • Thanks Aaron, good eye, I'll fix that.
  • Laura
    What company is the free voicemail system in San Francisco going through?:
  • Laura
    What company is the free voicemail system in San Francisco going through?
  • edhardy622
    British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.
    http://www.abercrombiefitchstore.co.uk
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