In its latest mobile tweak, a minor upgrade by Google has added to the smartphones - iPhone, Palm WebOS, and any Android-powered smartphone - the capability of streamlining its new movie search feature. The addition of the new function will facilitate on-the-fly movie search for users who only have a mobile phone to resort to in certain locations.

Boasting increased efficiency and readability, the upgraded movie function is accessible via a search for "movies" option on the google. com site, by the means of the iPhone, Palm or Android smartphone browser.

When the user further clicks the "more movies" link, an updated interface provides options of the day's movies or the theatres. The movie listings page provides a synopsis of a particular movie; its preview clippings, and the names of the local theatres screening the movie.

Along with buttons for playing trailers on the mobile device, the movie listings page also features film ratings and categories, film posters, and show times that suit a user's schedule.

Further, the integration of the movie search function with Google Maps gives the user requisite directions to reach the nearest theatre.

Google's 'free' upgraded movie function, which is a part of the company's wide-ranging overhaul that it released for mobile apps on the iPhone and Android devices last spring, will initially be launched in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.