"Coca #5 iPhone 3G" by nao-cha (left), available under a Creative Commons License
Last week I wrote about the RedLaser iPhone app, which allows serious shoppers to compare in-store prices with online ones by scanning barcodes with their iPhones. In the near future, RedLaser technology could also help you remember to pick up the milk, or select the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion.
Coupons, Inc. is currently figuring out how to integrate the barcode scanning technology into Grocery iQ, a grocery shopping application that works both the iPhone and iPod Touch. The finished product will reportedly allow you to scan grocery items directly into your shopping list on your iPhone, find and print coupons for those items, and re-arrange your grocery list to match the layout of your favorite supermarket.
Applied Ambiguities, LLC is also incorporating RedLaser technology into their Cor.kz Wine Info iPhone app. Fast Company has ranked Cor.kz as one of the 25 “must have” iPhone apps. Adding barcode scanning functionality to Cor.kz will make it easier for users to locate detailed information on almost any wine currently on the market using their iPhones.
You might be also be interested to know that RedLaser’s creator, Boulder-based technology startup Occipital, LLC, has also released the barcode scanning technology to iPhone developers everywhere. According to the RedLaser website, your iPhone could soon be able to perform all kinds of neat barcode scanning tricks. Here are a few to fuel your imagination:
• Pull up lists of a list of book reviews for books you spot at your local library (just scan their barcodes)
• Beam a list of movies you’d like to watch from the movie store to your TiVo at home (just scan their barcodes)
• Find online coupons for products you frequently purchase (just scan their barcodes)
New technology like RedLaser is giving barcodes an increasingly important role in product sales, which makes it more important than ever to have your barcode labels professionally designed and printed by someone you trust.
Let me get it! I want one now! Apple Computers are so advancing I know it will be impressive.