But I think there's a bigger part of this story where Google is involved. Think about their general, online, business model. We search for products and then click through once we've found something we like. Google might make some money on the click-thru, but I don't think they're making any money on the purchase.
But now, Google is starting to slowly work their way into potentially making money from the actual in-store purchase. That's a huge opportunity for Google. And maybe it puts them into a position to become a competitor to actual retail stores. Say I'm shopping in Sears and I find something I like. Using this Google app, I scan the barcode for additional information. What if Google could sell pop-up ads (bad description, but you know what I mean) to a competing store? I scan in Sears, but a competing ad for Target pops up? And what if Google could make a transaction fee if you end up buying from Target instead of from Sears? That could put Google into a really interesting position in therms of he physical retail world, right?
While lots of people are deploying bar code readers, I don't know the business model yet. But the above scenario would give Google a pretty big leg-up in creating a business out of barcode readers.
Google has launched Google Shopper, a new Android application that lets people use their camera phones to get product information in various ways. Users can scan the cover art of books, CDs, DVDs and video games and most barcodes to find reviews, pricing and other product details.Shopper also allows users to search products by voice and saves search histories for later reference, according to a post on Google's Mobile Blog about the new app available via the company's Android Market. It can also be downloaded through a QR code on the Mobile Blog.
MediaPost Publications Google Unveils New Mobile Shopping App 02/22/2010.
Scannable Retail Stickers to Extend Google's Local Presence - ClickZ - Polinchock's Ponderings.