Tempting Smartphone App ~ Reader Input Wanted
I just read this article at Wisebread about the Shop Savvy app for smartphones. With this app you can take a picture of a barcode with your phone’s camera and your phone will do an online and local search for comparable prices. I normally find all kinds of great books at Barnes & Noble or Book & Game and usually end up writing down the isbn to check online when I get home to see if I can get it for less. Half the time I don’t remember (which I suppose saves me money, so isn’t all bad!). It would be neat if I could check then and there using my phone.
Well, assuming I had a smartphone. I don’t. I’m sorely tempted, though. The other app that tempts me is the GPS. I’d like to do geocaching with the kids and most of the phones have a GPS in them, eliminating the need to buy one.
I know, I know. Smartphones are definitely NOT a need. And I balk at not knowing what the ongoing fees will be. What about you? Do you have a smartphone (iPhone, etc.)? If so, do you think it’s worth it? Do you use it to save money? If so, how? I’d LOVE to hear what my readers have to say.
I have a TouchPro2 and really like it. My hubby had a G1 before it was stolen, and he had ShopSavvy on it. As far as I know right now, ShopSavvy isn’t available on mine because it’s Windows Mobile not Android. Anyway, ShopSavvy saved us a lot last Christmas because we scanned items in the stores we were at and it showed us where the lowest price for that item was at and even how far the location was from where we were at the time. Some stores even price matched straight from the phone. I’ve tried geocaching with my phone but it didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. It did work though. It just changed coordinates some. As for a smart phone in general, mine only cost $50 from my husband’s corporate account and it runs about $45 a month for the data / texting plan that I have. So, not really frugal in some areas, but could save you lots if you have ShopSavvy installed.
I will keep my fingers crossed for it to be released to Windows Mobile users.
Thank you, Tina! That is helpful.
We make the ShopSavvy application. I just wanted to let Tina know that we are working on a version of ShopSavvy for the TouchPro2. Really appreciate the post!
[...] Econobusters » Blog Archive » Tempting Smartphone App ~ Reader Input Wanted http://www.econobusters.com/?p=3670 – view page – cached I just read this article at Wisebread about the Shop Savvy app for smartphones. With this app you can take a picture of a barcode with your phone’s camera and your phone will do an online and… Read moreI just read this article at Wisebread about the Shop Savvy app for smartphones. With this app you can take a picture of a barcode with your phone’s camera and your phone will do an online and local search for comparable prices. I normally find all kinds of great books at Barnes & Noble or Book & Game and usually end up writing down the isbn to check online when I get home to see if I can get it for less. Half the time I don’t remember (which I suppose saves me money, so isn’t all bad!). It would be neat if I could check then and there using my phone. View page [...]
I haven’t used the Shop Savvy app. I’m sure it is very good. I have used a FREE app. called Snap Tell. It is used for books & dvd’s. You take a pic of the cover of a book/dvd and it will do an online search for the book and list prices. I’ve used it many times and find that it really helps me wait to buy the more expensive books.
@Alexander Muse – I will jump up and down and do cartwheels when ShopSavvy is released for my phone.
(All in spirit, of course, because at age 40, I might break something! lol)
not about iphone, but on the geocaching – may I suggest letterboxing? check out http://www.atlasquest.com/ AND it’s FREE
We have done letterboxing and really enjoy it! Unfortunately, there aren’t many boxes in our area. I usually print out instructions and take them with me when we go on vacation. They make a nice break on a road trip.