The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration wants you to call. Its Dial-A-Forecast program allows users to phone in (using this list, because each major U.S. city has its own number) and hear a recorded weather forecast for the day.
The company Podlinez used to upload thousands of podcasts to its website, each with a corresponding number. Though it doesn't seem to be updated regularly, many phone lines are still active. For example, call +1 (650) 293-9268 to hear a 2007 interview with an up and coming Mark Zuckerberg.
Calling all Zodiac lovers, this one's for you. Phoning 1-213-687-7669 will lead you to an automated voice that reads your daily horoscope, according to your sign. (Beware though, the automated message system also beleaguers users to check out the live psychic hotline, which we predict is not free.)
What's the 411? Calling 1-800-FREE-411 will lead you to a directory service, akin to the common phone operator service 411. However, as the number suggests, the 1800 option is free to use, whereas the regular 411 costs money per phone call.
There was once an age where you could dial in the corresponding numbers to 'POPCORN' (767-2676) and a pre-recorded voice would tell you the time. Those days are over, but you can still dial a number to get the time. Call the Naval Observatory at 202-762-1069, and a recorded voice will give you exact Eastern Standard Time, while 719-567-6742 will give you Mountain Standard Time. Both also give Coordinated Universal Time, in military time.
This is the meme that will never die. Punch the numbers 248-434-5508 into your phone and you'll immediately hear the song "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, an '80s tune turned bizarrely popular Internet meme.
Great for doling out fake digits, you scoundrel you.
"Eight six seven, five three oh niiiiiiine." If you lived through the '80s, this song chorus from Tommy Tutone's hit, "Jenny," is perpetually stuck in your mind. Due to the song's popularity, fans would call 867-5309 numbers of every area code, irritating users who happened to be stuck with the number. Company Five309 LLC decided to capitalize on this by turning 855-867-5309 into the 'Jenny' line. Dial in and a snooty girl on the other end will say, "Hey, it's Jenny." Naturally, the number is used as an "adult" hotline, because "it's about time someone did something useful with this number."
Ho ho ho, the jolliest resident of the North Pole is just a phone call away. Dialing the number 1-951-262-3062 will direct you to a recorded message from "Santa Claus" himself, wishing you a Merry Christmas and asking you to leave a voicemail of your holiday wishes.
Here's looking at you, Moviefone. The popular film listings phone service is getting canceled; users can no longer call in to hear movie times, though the app will live on.
And yet, not everyone has followed Moviefone's footsteps. A number of fun and useful services are just a phone call away.
See also: 14 Stunning Photographs That Bridge Past and Present
Want to know your daily weather forecast? There's a number for that. Want to listen to an old podcast? There's a number for that, too. We pinned down eight phone services that are still alive and well for anyone willing to punch in a few numbers. Let nostalgia ring.
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