Barcodes: Stripey Lines iPhone App Pushes Price Comparison With Wishlists
With barcode scanning apps like RedLaser and Shopsavvy being promoted by Apple, in-store price comparison is bigger than ever. Stripey Lines is another app that encourages this behavior.
StripeyLines is a shopping companion for bargain and info hungry shoppers who want to ensure they are getting the best deal, and allows shoppers to instantly scan the barcode of goods in-store to compare pricing, or to check product and customer reviews. Shoppers can also use the app to create wishlists of products they want to buy at a later date, or share their new finds on Facebook and Twitter with friends and family.
A shopper could essentially scan the barcode on an artist's album, pull it up in iTunes, and listen to it right there. No need to provide headphones for in-store music sampling. What the retailer should worry about, is whether or not the customer opts for a physical CD or decides iTunes is simply more convenient.
The current 2D barcode (UPC) system is being hacked by developers, retailers are fighting back with services like those provided by InMarkit and Shopkick. It will be interesting to see what other creative strategies emerge from this.
[via intomobile / @intomobile]
