Have you guys noticed the click-to-call feature that’s appeared in Google Maps? Say you look up pizza places in Dallas. The site provides a list of addresses and phone numbers (as usual). Now there’s a “call” link next to the phone number. Here’s how it works: Click the link and enter your own phone number into the box. Google calls YOU and when you pick up, you hear the line ringing the pizza place as if you had dialed the number yourself. Google can remember your number so you never have to fumble with dialing the numbers of places you look up.

My first concern was, “Is my phone number now being sent to every telemarketing agency in the universe?” However, Google assures they don’t use the number for anything other than making the calls you request. A full explanation of how the service works is here.