By I’ve been following Android for almost a year now, but when friends asked me why I was headed to NYC for the T-Mobile Press Conference, I still couldn’t explain to them what Android was in a simple, concise manner. Most people just don’t get it… “so its just a phone?” No… its not just a phone. “Well then, what the heck is it?”
The way I explain Android to friends and family is by saying, “Imagine if your phone could do this:” and I proceed to describe the barcode scanning software offered by Shop Savvy. Its the single best way to help the average person understand what Android means. Its almost poetic how beautifully it illustrates the potential of Android.
Don’t take my word for it… watch Rylan Barnes of “Big In Japan” – the company that company that made ShopSavvy – explain it to myself (while CNBC listens in hehe jk):
I’m not sure if his Harry Potter comment was intentionally funny or if I just have an odd sense of humor (I do, I know) but cmon, tell me you didn’t at least SMIRK?
These guys just got $750,000 in funding on top of winning $250,000 in the Android Developer Challenge itself. And thus is the power of Open Source. Literally ANY developer can start writing software today and in a few months time, the sky is the limit.
And for developer’s out there, don’t say “well someone else already did it” or even “someone else will probably do it before me”. There is PLENTY of room for competition and to be honest, the more the better. Those who have been following Android for awhile probably know that Jeffrey Sharkey has a similar application originally called “Scan” that has since been renamed “CompareEverywhere”. I’m sure his application will be equally as successful and he should be commended and noticed as well. Open Source represents choice and you can’t have too much. Its not necessarily which application is “better”… often times it comes down to a matter of preference.
I also recorded a really quick version of the Shop Savvy App Overview so that when friends ask me what the heck Android is I can just send them this link and 1 minute later they’ll better understand what Android is and my breath will be saved. All thanks to Rylan Barnes and the folks behind ShopSavvy:
Seriously, checking this application out and meeting some of the guys behind it was an awesome. The bar code scanning application is, quite literally, the frame of reference I use on almost a daily basis to explain Android to people who aren’t as tech savvy big of dorks as I am.
By the way, take a look at their initial Android Developer Challenge submission/demo video below. It seems like they’ve come a LONG way. Awesome job guys… I can’t wait to show off your application to everyone when I get my G1! I can’t imagine showing it off AND being one of the developers… freakin rock stars.
NeoMedia has a patent that covers this technology
Patent #6,651,053 — Interactive system for investigating products on a network
An interactive search system for use with a global computer network, e.g., the Internet, using a search identifying barcode to rapidly and effectively obtain a supply of related information for presentation to a user. A computer, either landline based or mobile, may be used to input a UPC code, taken from a package or advertisement or prestored in the computer, to an implementing server on the network. The server contains a database of product and manufacturer identifying UPC codes and uses the input UPC code and the database to identify the manufacturer and is programmed to then perform a search of the network to locate sites relating to or operated by the manufacturer. Also, the server may search the network on a product basis to locate other sites containing the UPC under search. Using “parsing” technology, the server “pulls out” the product description, transmits it to and places it in a random access memory (RAM) or storage of the computer, and proceeds to perform further searching relying on the product description to uncover relevant information. Accordingly, using a single input, a collection of product-related and manufacturer information is quickly assembled in the computer available for a user’s consideration all at once at any time.
Where can I purchase the Shop Savvy application?
Thanks
Fred, you can download Shop Savvy for free at the android marketplace via a G1 phone.
That being said, I’m not 100% convinced at the applications accuracy or true usefulness. I just scanned a large can of folders coffee, to which I got one price hit. It was Walgreen’s online store for 12.99. A price that is significantly higher than what you could get it at most stores for. I also found it strange that folders, coffee which is available just about everywhere would only return one hit.
While I was at it I also scanned a package of generic plastic silverware by dixie. While I did receive a bunch of online prices, 13, I didn’t get a single offline price return. Again, this seemed strange considering that this same plastic silverware could be found in just about any general convince store you can name.
Maybe I just got unlucky with the two items I picked but so far I am far less impressed with Shop Savvy than I expected to be.
Will the app be avaliable for AT&T Phone specific 8225?
Can the Shop Savvy application be connected to the verizon Samsung instinct?
Thankss.
Is there a way to add to the db of known products,it looks like without organic growth thru direct user input
The product has limited usefulness
Hello, I would like to know that this application uses devices.
thanks!!!!
Where do you get brick and morter store pricing to use in this application?
will this be avaible for the i phone and when
Shopsavvy does not give us any local groceries stores where we found items on sale.
how does shopsavvy compare and contrast with scanbuy?
Very poor app for android. Cannot add stores. Search “western digital 120 gb hard drive” best price online $59.99, actual best price online $19.99. A $40 dollar difference. Please think twice!!! -schuess