Google has shut down its SMS search tool for mobile users without a data plan.
Launched back in 2004, the service previously let users send a text message requesting a search via a short number.
Many shortcuts were available to retrieve the latest sports scores, information about local businesses, stock information, translations or weather information using the search option.
Beginning last week, however, users of the service began receiving only a message reading, “SMS search has been shutdown. You can continue to search the web at google.com on any device.”
The move follows Google’s latest round of ‘spring cleaning’ as it shuts down less popular services to focus on its core businesses such as search and YouTube, and new projects such as Google+ and Google Glass.
