Vox Unpopuli: Yahoo by Phone

Mick Lockey

PORTAL TRENDS

From online auctions to online bill paying, Yahoo tries to be all things to all people. Now, the megasite wades into voice-portal waters with Yahoo by Phone--and emerges a bit bedraggled. The service provides bits of news, sports, weather, and stock information, as well as voice-enabled e-mail. But it has fewer features than voice portals such as Tellme and BeVocal.

Setup is easy, though it involves many numbers. First, you call the service's toll-free number and specify a 10-digit mailbox number. Hint: Use a sequence that's easy to remember--such as your own phone number. Next, you select a four-digit password. To leave messages, your friends and associates must know both the toll-free number and your account number. You use these two numbers, plus the password, to retrieve your voice-mail messages or news and weather information. I found the automated voice reading the e-mail difficult to understand at times, especially at the start of a message.

Yahoo by Phone's news and stock information is standard fare, but its technology update section sounded more like product announcements than news. You may access weather information by keying in a zip code--more reliable than speaking a city's name, but unhelpful if you don't know the zip code. As with other voice portals, you must listen to short ads in return for obtaining retrieved information; but the others typically offer more services, such as airline flight info, driving directions, or restaurant guides.

I'd recommend the service if your primary e-mail account is with Yahoo. Otherwise, establishing another set of contact numbers for others to reach you with might not be worth the extra effort. Try to sign up with a portal that pays you back in information for putting up with ads.

Buying Information

Yahoo by Phone Easy setup, no cost to user. Not as full-featured as the competition. Suitable for people with Yahoo e-mail accounts; others should try voice portals that offer more services. $ Free Yahoo by Phone 800/699-2466 http://phone.yahoo.com