Google's "official" blog featured a posting about Google Product Search, aka Google Shopping, encouraging consumers to start their holiday shopping on Google. The search engine bragged, "You can compare products and prices from merchants across the web, from popular retailers like Amazon and Best Buy to places to buy unique gifts like eBay and Etsy," and then described some of the recent improvements made to Google Product Search:

• Our new gallery view shows larger, higher-resolution images to help pick the style or model that is right for you. Check out some (digital cameras) or (sweater boots).
• Check the Reviews section of our product pages before you buy - we're now including review summaries to help you see what people are saying at a glance.
• We've recently integrated video product reviews from YouTube, which appear right on the product pages so you can get an in-depth look at items before you buy.
• If you want to see or purchase an item in person, click nearby stores to see a map of nearby store locations for that seller.
• Product Search works great on mobile phones, so you can compare prices, read reviews and even find coupons from the Local Business Center while you're shopping. You can also use the nifty barcode scanner on your phone to compare prices quickly and easily.

In other Google news, the company announced it is acquiring Teracent, which helps advertisers get better results from their display ad campaigns.