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The scanner's results include online sellers — and a map of local stores stocking the item. Bill Chappell/NPR |
Morning Edition, December 24, 2008 · There has been an explosion of software programs for mobile phones. And technology guru (权威) Mario Armstrong has a favorite: Compare Everywhere, which lets shoppers find and compare prices for a particular item at stores in a given area.
"So the idea is that you're out shopping and your phone gets turned into — using the digital camera on the phone — a bar code scanner," technology guru Mario Armstrong told NPR's Linda Wertheimer.
The software, which is compatible (兼容) with Google's Android operating system, is one of more than 140,000 applications made specifically for mobile devices. And that number is sure to rise as cell phones become more complex and more commonplace.
Compare Everywhere "allows you to scan items while you're shopping," Armstrong said. The data from the bar code (条形码) are then used to find out more about the item.
"But it also looks for other locations to see if there's a better deal," he said. And if you're looking for a particular book, the system even includes local libraries that have copies in their collections.
One limitation of the software is that not everything on store shelves is in the tracking system. But Armstrong says the software could have wider benefits.
"It starts to get you thinking more about your shopping habits," Armstrong said, "and how you could be saving money."
For now, the application costs nothing to use and features no advertising. Armstrong expects it to stay that way, with developers someday benefiting from a revenue-sharing deal or commissions on sales made after using the program.