Google boosts mobile shopping

Google has rolled out a mobile application of Google Product Search that lets shoppers see whether stores like Best Buy and Sears have products in stock at nearby locations, reports eWeek.

Google Product Search for mobile with local inventory lets people use their mobile phones to search and find products sold by Best Buy, Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, Sears Pottery Barn and other participating retailers.

Users of Google Android, Palm WebOS or Apple iPhone services who have enabled the My Location feature can look for the blue dots in the search results to see if products are available in a local store.

Apple has officially opened up pre-ordering for its iPad tablet system, states Computing.co.uk.

Consumers can now place their pre-orders for the highly-anticipated device, which is scheduled for an official release on 3 April. Analyst estimates have placed early sales as high as 50 000 pre-orders.

The initial release would be limited to the US and only the WiFi-enabled model. The company has said 3G-equipped models and UK availability will arrive later in the month.

Alternative payment methods enable developers to monetise significantly larger portions of their user base, according to a study released recently, says CNET News.

Of the social gamers surveyed for the study, overseen by ComScore and Offerpal Media, 53% said they are enthusiastic about alternative, or indirect, payment methods as a way to earn virtual currency for free, rather than having to pay for it directly.

These alternative forms of payment take many forms, including filling out a survey, watching a video, shopping at online retailers, or signing up for a subscription in order to get points for the games they play on leading social networks.