Consumers Armed With Symbian Cameraphones Can Now Comparison Shop!!

I love just about anything that makes using my phone even more efficient.  So, combined mobile technology and shopping... 2 things that make me whole!!  Now add that word "comparison" to shopping and what do you get???  SCANZOOM!!

Here's a bit of info from NBC10.com:

Olivier Attia is the CEO of Scan-Buy, which offers software that you can download to a cell phone that has a camera and when you are shopping, you just line up your camera phone with the bar code on the product. Scan-Buy almost instantly gives you a product description, customer ratings price comparisons between what you see on the shelves and what is available from Web retailers.  For instance, Monster Cable in the electronics department in one store was $79.99. With a quick scan, Consumer Alert found a variety of prices. "I can get prices from $46.89 to $79.95," Attia said.  Next, Consumer Alert and Attia try scanning a DVD.  "So here the price is $21.99, but this is showing me I can get it new for $16.99 on Amazon and used for $12.99," said NBC 10 consumer reporter Tracy Davidson. "Now I know what I'm buying and if this price is a high price or a low price."  If you want the item you see listed online, one-click buying is possible right on your phone. Soon, you will be able to do the same brick-and-mortar retailers.

At the moment, SCANZOOM is only offered to T-Mobile and Cingular Wireless customers with 16 handsets supported, mostly symbian.  They are also offering an free add-on camera lens for downloading the app.

• Compare prices immediately while shopping stores!
• Automated access to PriceGrabber or Amazon information
• 16 camera phones currently supported
• Receive an add-on macro lens
• Can be used with data service through any provider

Comments

[oynk]

Hi Darla,

I was excited to download the software. Unfortunately, the whole process seems a little shady to me. Plus it didn't work as promised. I was unable to ever get it to recognize a bar code. I wrote about it on my blog.

My first impression is: Buyer beware!

[Baby Girl]

I saw this on the news last night and downloaded a copy as soon as I got home. I can't wait to try it this weekend.

[Baby Girl]

I tried it and it didn't work. I have to agree with oynk. The registration process does seem a little shady.

[Darla]

Hey Baby Girl,

I was so disappointed when I went to WalMart Friday night. Lol it didn't work at all, so I guess I didn't get the best price for the microwave. Not to mention looking embarrassed as I was trying to scan the damn barcode while walking through the store. I know I must have looked like a dork.
The concept is great and all, but to be publically mentioned and put out there, it would have been better if they had made sure that the product worked first.
Hey, at least we lost no money on it.

[ishan]

hey! it worked for me. Many of the things were cheaper on amazon than in OfficeDepot.
DID YOU GUYS ORDER THE ADD-ON LENS ?
its a small plastic lens which needs to be attached to the camera to make things clear.

[Darla]

@ishan

What model phone are you using? It could be that it didn't work for me because I tried it on the 6682 which isn't on their list.
Yeah I ordered the lens and am just waiting for it to get here.

[ishan]

I am currently using the Nokia 6600. Had earlier tried the Nokia 3650. They say they support series 60 nokia phones so i am guessing the 6682 should work. I know the 6680 works, my friend has it. But yeah, it will work ONLY WITH the add-on lens. Its not the sleekest thing, but it does the job, makes the image clearer.
I did not have to wait more than 4 days for the lens, so maybe they will be fast with it for you too.

[Baby Girl]

I ordered the lens too. Guess I have to wait. You would think it would work with a 6681.