According to the Google blog, Google has now launched 3 new SMS services, Search, Tips, and Trade, all geared towards the African market.

The reason being, Africans’ SMS need a touch of tweaking, while Tips, which can be accessed via texting 6001, whereby you can enter freeform text queries and Google will restructure the queries into identifiable keywords and come back with relevant answers.

Trader is an SMS based marketplace app that helps purchasers and sellers locate each other, and the user can locate sell or buy on any type of service or product.