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What happens when you use the T-Mobile G1 barcode reader on itself?
Planning to get one of those fancy T-Mobile Google phones this weekend? If you are, don't ask a friend who has one to use the phone's barcode reader to find the best deal. Every G1 can use ShopSavvy, an Android app that uses the phone's camera to scan barcodes, then checks the Internet to call up a list of sites where you can buy the product you scanned.
Using ShopSavvy on UPC code on the G1's box, the phone gave me just one result — that it's available unlocked from UnlockedFones.com for $595 (it's since been reduced to $495). That's pretty nuts since you can get one direct from T-Mobile (locked, of course, with a two-year contract) for $180, and the suggested retail, before rebates and discounts, is listed as $400. It's not even a good price for an unlocked G1, according to this Google search.
It seems a little odd to us that an app designed for this phone can't find a good price on the phone itself. Practically, it's not a big deal (it's pretty obvious where you can buy one, and phones don't make good gifts anyway), but to give no legit results at all? We're stumped.
By Alexander Muse at 3:21 PM ON 11/26/08
Yea, we asked T-Mobile to supply us with pricing for their UPCs, but they don't have this data in a database that we could call. We thought about returning a 'funny message' i.e. an Easter Egg, but we have been so busy we haven't had time.
I thought we should pop up a message saying: "We apologize, but due to the potential risk of creating a black hole or disrupting the time space continuum, we have disabled the G1 from scanning itself. Please scan another item."
By maximusfilms at 1:05 AM ON 11/27/08
same w/ the fuze. letstalk has out the door for $149 plus after six months of service an rebate of $149. att is $299. w/ rebate. $499 no contract. even mobileplanet ie expansys is $539 locked no contract. i dont get it
By emm333arrddd at 11:53 AM ON 11/27/08
I gotta G1 last weekend. B4 I did, I demoed the store's. I used the barcode scanner app to play. The dude working there said something dumb (he was a good guy though) like "we don't have any barcodes to scan around here, but it works though...". I pulled a bluetooth earpiece box off the rack and scanned it (there's frickin barcodes everywhere man!!) ... it returned 39.99 after 30 seconds. I flipped the box around to the front where the price was printed directly onto the box there in the TMobile store... An Official TMobile Store might I add. The price on the box was 99.99.
Not saying the phone wasn't worth it. Just watch what you buy at the store - the barcode scanner showed how this is true. There are severe markups on non-essential items i.e. screen protectors, chargers, accessories, addons. The G1 is 400 bones to replace if you don't get insurance and 180 w/a contract for 2 years. I'd pay 400 if the battery actually lasted the way my old samsung slider did... for a few days. HTC better get it in gear with the battery life. That's another thread though :) sorry to get off subject.
By Anonymous at 5:04 PM ON 11/29/08
Please help me how can I use my G1 phone to scan bar codes...and is there any extra charge for that.thank yopu
By streetstylz at 6:55 PM ON 11/30/08
Regarding ShopSavvy:
In an effort to educate the public and raise the question of patentability, NeoMedia has multiple patents that cover scanning UPC codes with a camera enabled mobile device to connect to the Internet, comparison shop, and/or retrieve online content.
on your cellphone!
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streetstylz:
Regarding ShopSavvy: In an effort to educate the public and raise the question of patentability, NeoMedia has mult...More »