Late-December Version Update (12/20/2010)
The final version update of the year will introduce the item search function, which players may use to search through retainer bazaars in market wards to locate specific items. The date and time of the version update are as follows.

◆Date and Time
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

◆The Item Search Function
This version update marks the first of several that will introduce improvements to item-based searches. The features to be added this time are listed below.

A search option that tells players how many items of a certain type are being sold in the market area with which that item type is associated.
Retainers returned by a search now have a distinguishing icon displayed above their head.
* Searches can be conducted by selecting the item search option at the entrance to any market, or from within any individual ward, row, or den.

With the introduction of the item search feature, it will now be significantly easier for players to locate specific items. We will continue to improve this system with further enhancements such as keyword-based searches, the ability to show the retainers selling an item at the lowest prices for searches returning numerous hits as with synthesis materials, and more. Concrete details regarding such information will be released in future Topics posts here on the Lodestone as they become available.
Kind of funny they will implement lowest price on items when that will lead to undercutting, which is the only reason they avoided an AH in the first place?

edit: Also, surprised its coming so soon, I thought it'd be after Christmas... Does this mean the entire dev team is going on vacation until after New Years?