In case you noticed but are afraid to ask why Google is using a barcode in place of its familiar logo - it is Google's way of honoring the anniversary of the first bar code patent, granted to Norman Joseph Woodland, Jordin Johanson and Bernard Silver on Oct. 7, 1952. News link i_Xp/VistaUser

I tried to scan the bar code to see if google was half price. Web Design Barrie

Hmmmm...you know when a company's brand is established when it can swap its logo out with a barcode.

They did the same thing last year. I tried to scan it as well. It said "Internet porn isle 7" Likely I want to go like my grandfather did. Peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming at the top of my longs like the passangers in his car.

Google often changes it's logo based on the anniversary of events, birthdays, etc. In fact they did it at least 35 times in 2009. Typically, you can click on the logo to get info on whatever it is they are commemorating. See here for some of the logos used in the past: http://www.google-logos.com/