Shopping

Philips taking on Apple’s iBeacon tech with smart lights

Cody Lee ∙ February 17, 2014

Philips has officially joined the onslaught of competitors looking to go head-to-head with Apple's iBeacon geolocation technology. At a retailer in northern Germany, the company is testing out a lighting unit which includes a built-in beacon that can relay information to smartphones.

It works a lot like many of the iBeacon solutions we've seen thus far. When shoppers enter a store, opening a companion app on their smartphone reveals a map and their location, and from there, they can search for various product, get directions to them, and receive other information...

Amazon app now lets you search for things by taking photos of them

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Amazon has pushed an update to its iOS app, enabling a new feature called Flow. The feature allows users to search for items on the website by simply scanning them in the app using their iPhone's camera. Need a stapler? Just point your iPhone at one.

Flow recognizes via shape, size, color, box text, and general appearance, and can analyze multiple items at a time. Hold your iPhone up to a row of products and every recognizable item is placed in a queue that can then be added to your Amazon cart...

Shopkick expands iBeacon testing to 100 American Eagle locations

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Shopkick announced today that it is expanding its iBeacon trial to a number of American Eagle retail stores. The shopping app has been testing Apple's new geolocation tech in a handful of Macy's outlets since December of last year.

Once the pilot goes live next month, Shopkick's iBeacon tech will be available in 100 AE locations, making it the largest trial of the technology in the country. And it'll essentially turn your iPhone into a personal shopping assistant...

Google outs Shopping Express same-day delivery

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 26, 2013

Yes, Google is now in the package delivery business, sort of. The New York Times last October reported that the Internet giant was testing a new service that had been more than a year in the making.

In partnership with select few San Francisco retailers, Google was reportedly testing its own same-day delivery service akin to the likes of Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, eBay and the United States Postal Service.

Yesterday, the search monster announced that Shopping Express is now open to people living in the Bay Area delivery zones, from San Francisco to San Jose. Marking the launch, Google also posted an iOS and Android app which lets you buy stuff from participating retailers with same-day express shipping...

Google axing support for Catalogs app beginning August 15

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2013

Google has named the next mobile app to be retired as its killing spree continues. Starting with August 15, the Internet company will stop supporting the Google Catalogs program on iPads and Android tablets (they've never gotten to releasing an iPhone version).

The app, basically a glorified magazine-like browser with window-shopping experience, will continue to be supported on both platforms until August 15.

For those oblivious to its existence, the app features a comprehensive catalog of products sold by apparel and fashion merchants and lets you save items for later - even create your own collages. And when you see something you like, a single tap produces a nearby store information or takes you to the merchant's website to make a purchase...

In addition to Local, Google shutting down Shopper app next month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

It looks like Google isn't done axing its iOS apps yet. In addition to pulling Google+ Local from the App Store next month, the search giant has announced today that it will also be shutting down its 'Shopper app' for iOS at the end of August.

For those unfamiliar with Google Shopper, the app acts as a portal to Google's web-based shopping service, which through curation helps people track down products and prices online, as well as in their local area. More details after the fold...

Apple closely trails Amazon in mobile shopping satisfaction

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated February 27, 2017

A new survey out Wednesday gives an intriguing snapshot of current mobile shopping. Naturally, the top Internet retailer, Amazon, takes the first spot in shopping satisfaction but Apple is close on its heels and ties with TV retail powerhouse QVC. In a survey by analytics player ForeSee taken during the all-important holiday shopping period, Apple scored 83 percent as consumers expressed increasing satisfaction with mobile shopping...

Google re-brands Places app as Google+ Local, adds features

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 5, 2018

Google's been streamlining their confusing set of web services and mobile apps since Larry Page took over the reigns as CEO from Eric Schmidt last year. As part of this simplification of Google, the company just updated its Places app for iOS. It's now re-christened as Google+ Local and comes with a few new interesting features, including voice search and Zagat reviews...

Three Apps to Help You Get the Best Deals this Holiday Season

Cody Lee ∙ Updated February 19, 2018

Black Friday is coming to an end, but that doesn't mean that the holiday related discounts are over. Even after Cyber Monday (the online version of Black Friday) hits next week, retailers are expected to host a number of sales before the end of the year.

So if you are still looking to pick up gifts at rock bottom prices, you have about a month left to shop around. And here are three apps that will not only ensure you get the best deal on a product, but will also help you decide whether to buy it or not...

Priceline for iPad Drops in the App Store

Guest Author ∙ Updated November 12, 2018

The Priceline Hotel & Car Negotiator app for iPad has dropped in the App Store. Priceline is a service that allows you to find the best deal on plane tickets, hotels and car rentals. There is already a Priceline app for the iPhone, and both versions have been integrated into one app, making it a universal download...

Apple’s Point-of-Sale System for the iPhone Detailed in New Patent

Oliver Haslam ∙ September 8, 2011

Apple may be widely known for its consumer and prosumer products, with Macs, iPhones and iPads providing its core business, but a new patent details what could be a move into the world of business and retail, with a new Point-of-Sale system in the pipeline.

While we doubt it will feature the tell-tale glowing Apple logo, the glorified barcode scanner does feature one Apple trait – it fixes a problem than many store workers don't know they have...

Monitor App Store Price Drops With AppDeals

Alex Heath ∙ Updated February 17, 2018

The fine folks at AppsFire have launched a new service called "AppDeals." AppsFire is a popular app recommendation service that already has a successful app in the App Store.

AppDeals is "the best way to find the hottest deals on the greatest apps." If you like to go app hunting for cool new finds, AppDeals will help you find the discounted steals in the App Store that may have otherwise passed you by.

If you're looking for a way to track price drops in the App Store, AppDeals is an excellent companion for your deal hunting needs...