DISQUS

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

  • Dave! · 1 year ago
    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.
  • MG Siegler · 1 year ago
    Very true Dave, just thought I'd point that out for those not versed in such observations.
  • Sean · 1 year ago
    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=...
  • Allen Stern · 1 year ago
    you do realize that grandcentral has done this since day 1 right?
  • MG Siegler · 1 year ago
    @sean and allen - thanks guys, i'll update with that.
  • Matt Cutts · 1 year ago
    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.
  • MG Siegler · 1 year ago
    @matt - thanks, good background I'll put that in there as well.
  • Aaron · 1 year ago
    Google's motto is "Don't be evil," not "Do no evil."
  • MG Siegler · 1 year ago
    Thanks Aaron, good eye, I'll fix that.
  • Laura · 1 year ago
    What company is the free voicemail system in San Francisco going through?:
  • Laura · 1 year ago
    What company is the free voicemail system in San Francisco going through?
  • edhardy622 · 2 months ago
    British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.
    http://www.abercrombiefitchstore.co.uk