Google Makes Shopping Easier With iPhone And Android App

Starting today, Google is now offering a mobile version of Google Product Search for the iPhone and Android smartphones. The idea is to make gathering product information easier while on the go.Unless you've done your research ahead of time and are armed with pricing information, you might end up paying too much for that doodad at your local electronics retailer. Having access to competitive pricing information on the go could help you save a few bucks. At least, that's what Google thinks.

Today in a post on the Official Google Blog, Yury Pinsky, Product Manager, Google Mobile team, discussed the new Google Product Search for mobile. He writes, "When you type a product query on Google.com in your iPhone or Android browser, you'll get Google Product Search results nicely formatted for your phone. You can see online ratings, reviews, prices, and product details if you're out and about."

This is great for the savvy shopper. I often find myself traipsing from store to store looking for the best price on product X. What's not to like about potentially being able to save time (and gas!) by comparing prices on your phone?

I tested it out this morning. I typed in a search for a 'Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.' Above the normal search results was a link that said "Shopping results for Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier". I clicked on that and it took me to a new page that displayed pricing information for the Dual Rec at several different brick-and-mortar retailers, as well as online retailers and eBay auctions. I could see the price of the amp (is it really that much?!?) at each of these locations to determine where I'd get the best deal.

Definitely useful. Check it out on your iPhone or HTC G1.