ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner

Summary

If you’re an impulse buyer, chances are you've purchased something only to discover that the shop around the block was selling the very same item at a much better price. This has happened to me more than a few times, which is why I began my quest for an app that can help me locate the item that I’m after for the best possible price. My research so far has come up with "ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner". Read on to find out more.

First impression: price comparisons on the go
A lot of shoppers are making use of new media to compare prices, especially when making more substantial purchases. "ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner" allows you to do just that, the advantage being that you can use it when you’re out and about, and you don’t have to comb through endless websites, reviews, price comparisons and whatnot. The app presents you with a neat and tidy overview of the product, including prices (both in the internet and in store locations) and reviews.

What makes "ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner" fun to use is the app’s flexibility. There are quite a few price-comparison apps floating around the Android market, but most of them are limited to scanning the barcodes of products. "ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner" lets users enter texts themselves using the keyboard. This can be really useful when you don’t know the exact name of a product, or if you want to compare similar products.

ShopSavvy also has a pretty nifty price-alert function. Users may enter a price which they deem fair, and if the product they’re looking for becomes available for that price they will be notified, either via the app or email. What this means is that you have a clever little watch dog at your service, ready to inform you that the object of your desire has become available for what you feel is an adequate price.

The app also has a wish list function (similar to the one on Amazon) which allows you to put products in your virtual basket in order to compare them or keep track of things that might make nice Christmas gifts, etc.

Bottom Line:
We were impressed by "ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner"’s overall performance. The app’s usability, speed and power spectrum are all very good. The app’s catalogue of available products isn’t complete, but we can live with that. All in all, the app is on the right track towards becoming a real ‘must have’ app.

"ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner"’s overall look is clean: it isn’t visually overwhelming and information is relayed in a logical manner. The scanner works especially well thanks to the flashlight on the scan screen. Tap on the lightning bolt in order to increase the brightness for your scans. Please note that this function isn’t available for all devices.

"ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner" is available as soon as you click on the app icon. Searches take a few seconds to load.

There were no technical issues with the app’s performance or stability during the testing period.

"ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner" is available for free from the Android Market, though additional costs may arise according to your provider's rates for internet access.