Google Product Search for Android now has the ability to scan bar codes, changing the way that consumers can shop.

The Product Search tool was originally created to allow consumers to check price reviews and product details right from their phones. Then the Google team realized that people would most probably just scan a bar code to see results for the exact product they are searching for.

"That's why we've integrated bar code scanning with Google Product Search for mobile," said Eiji Hirai, software engineer for the Google Mobile team in a blog post.

Google Product Search gives consumers access to prices, ratings, reviews and product details from all over the Web.

Users can also sort results in a number of different ways, such as by price or seller rating.

Say a consumer is in a store and having a hard time deciding between two products.

Instead of waiting to go home to check the Internet for ratings and reviews, the person can now get all this information right there on the spot.

Users just need to take out their phone, go to http://www.google.com in the browser, and try out Google Product Search for mobile.

From Google.com, users just need to type in a query and then tap on the "shopping" link that appears in the search results. Or they can tap on the "more" tab and then "shopping" to get to Product Search directly.

The Scan Barcode button to install the latest version of the Barcode Scanner application can be found on the Product Search page.

When users tap the button, the application opens. To scan a bar code users just need to center the red line over the bar code and hold the phone steady. When the bar code is read successfully, they will see a Google Product Search results page back in the browser.

The integration of Barcode Scanner and Product Search for mobile is available nationwide and in Britain for Android-powered devices.

"Today, bar code scanning works best for products like electronics, books, movies or video games, but we're working on adding more bar codes for other items," Mr. Hirai said. "Of course, if your scan does not return a result, you can always type in the product name just as before."