Barcode scanning applications provide instant product feedback, such as price and reviews.
No one wants to buy a product and find it later for a cheaper price. Nor does anyone want to buy a product that consistently breaks or malfunctions. That's the idea behind barcode scanners, which utilize a smart phone's camera to read UPC codes and 2D QR codes. The scanner software translates a photo of a code into a product description that -- depending on the scanner -- may include prices at other stores and product reviews.
Instructions
1. Download a barcode scanner application from your smart phone's application store. There are barcode scanners available for iPhones, Android-enabled phones and many BlackBerry phones.
2. Open the application on your smart phone. Point the phone's camera in the direction of the barcode you wish to scan. Applications vary, but most have a guide to help you align the barcode with the camera eye. Depending on the scanner app you have downloaded, you may be required to press "scan" or press a button to activate the camera eye.
3. Allow the application to process the barcode it has captured. This may take some time. The application will search the Internet for the product and return information related to the specific item.
4. Research the item using the data provided. Although not all data is available for each product, you can often learn about the price of the product at other retailers, the manufacturer of the product, reviews about its worth and websites where it can be purchased.
Tags: smart phone, your smart phone, barcode scanners, phone camera, product reviews
