A new service will allow mobile users to find addresses, maps or phone numbers without the need to press a single key.Telme, which specialises in combining internet and voice-based technologies, will today begin offering the free service to customers in the United States.
Customers have a choice between calling a toll-free number, sending an SMS or simply speaking into their mobiles.
Mike McCue, CEO of Telme, explained that his company is keen for "people to be able to search from any phone the way that works best for them."
"The phone was designed for speaking rather than typing, so we focus on the natural phone interface - your voice," Mr McCue said.
While web browsing is a more casual affair, according to Mr McCue, "phone searches are about completing tasks and quickly finding what you want, connecting to it and completing a transaction."
The launch of Telme comes days after the low-key launch of Google's own voice-activated search facility.
Google Voice Local Search, which is also free, is currently in a trial period and allows US-based callers to locate local business.
The move is evidence of further convergence in the mobile and web fields. Advertising to mobile phones is on course to top $3 billion by the end of the year, according to a recent report.
The project, undertaken by ABI research, also predicts that mobile advertising revenues will increase 13 times over between 2006 and 2011.
Most of the growth in revenue is expected to come initially from SMS advertising and then later from the expansion of mobile internet, video and television.
