Method and apparatus for providing an automated shopping service in a telecommunication system

An apparatus for providing an automated shopping service in a telecommunication system, comprising:

• a database configured to store pre-recorded electronic content;
• and
• at least one server configured to:
• receive a call via the telecommunication system initiated by a caller;
• play an electronic prompt to the caller selected from the pre-recorded content;
• receive an electronic response from the caller to the electronic prompt;
• automatically detect at least one item requested by the caller in the electronic response;
• perform a search of at least one shopping source to obtain information associated with the at least one item;
• and
• send the information towards the caller.

A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to perform a method of providing an automated shopping service in a telecommunication system, comprising:

• receiving a call via the telecommunication system initiated by a caller;
• playing an electronic prompt to the caller;
• receiving an electronic response from the caller to the electronic prompt;
• automatically detecting at least one item requested by the caller in the electronic response;
• performing a search of at least one shopping source to obtain information associated with the at least one item;
• and
• sending the information towards the caller.