Google announced yesterday that they would be making the move into the local shopping industry. They are creating a mobile app that will allow cell phone users to take a look at the inventory of local stores nearby. In other words, if you want to find a specific item, you can search for it and a list of the stores nearby that have it in stock will appear.
If you were looking for a specific Xbox 360 game, you will input the name of the game into the search. The game will then appear with a blue dot and a neighboring link, in stock nearby. You have to click on it in order to see the stores that currently have it in stock. In addition to seeing if it is in stock, you’ll be able to view whether or not it is limited availability only.
If you have enabled certain features, such as the My Location feature on your mobile phone then you’ll be able to view exactly how far away these local stores are. This is ideal so that you are able to go to the nearest store that has it in stock rather than going all the way across town to pick up the game that you were interested in purchasing.
Keep in mind that Google is still getting retail stores to sign up and get in on this app, so there won’t be a large list of stores right at first. For now, you can expect to see Best Buy, Sears, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Williams-Sonoma. Regardless of the number of current listed stores, I’m sure they won’t have a problem recruiting more stores for their app.
This particular local shopping app is fully compatible with the Palm WebOS cell phones, Android phones, as well as the iPhone.
