Google’s New Weather Shortcut and Similar Services

A post on the Google Blog informs us that Google now has a shortcut that provides a four-day weather forecast in a OneBox at the top of web search results page.

To use this new service simply begin your query with the word “weather” and then provide a location (U.S. only) or Zip Code. For example:
Weather Chicago Illinois
or
Weather 90210
Google’s weather shortcut is also available via Google SMS.

Both Yahoo! and Ask Jeeves have provided a shortcut/Smart Search (what Jeeves calls them) for weather info since 2003. A local weather shortcut was first introduced by AltaVista in 2002.

Btw, the weather shortcuts from Ask.com and Yahoo also provide info for major cities located outside of the U.S. A local weather shortcut is also available on some Local Yahoo!s. Examples:
Yahoo! UK/Ireland
Yahoo! Austalia/New Zealand

Ask Jeeves properties in the UK and Japan also offer Smart Search options including one for weather info.
Examples:
+ Weather in Leeds
+ Japan Weather

4Info.net, an SMS-based info service, and Yahoo Mobile offer weather and other info for mobile web users.

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