Tech Cast Now

"What if your iPhone could read barcodes?... just like the scanners at the checkout (you know, the ones with the red laser.) You could do all sorts of cool things. Check online prices for a DVD player. Scan movies at the store and beam them to your TiVo. Scan a book and check for reviews. Scan the milk and add it to your grocery list. I know what you’re thinking. That’s impossible, right? You heard the camera just wasn’t good enough. Actually, it is good enough. But you can’t use just any old barcode technology. You need RedLaser – just maybe the most advanced 1D barcode recognition technology on planet earth."

"WOW! I was skeptical. After downloading the app I held it up for my first scan, the very tiny barcode on an MacBook Pro battery package which I had just purchased. This was a very very small code that I could barely read in the dim light of my office. The image was fuzzy due to the dim light and my unsteady hand. I thought I would have to start over, IT WORKED! It returned about 20 sources. Of course, being an Apple product I didn't see any amazing savings, but that's not Redlaser's fault.

 

Apparently there were a few problems with earlier versions, but this version worked great. I scanned a few more items in my low light situation and in each case it was right on target.

 

While it was trying to scan I didn't see any indication of activity other than a message that said ""hold still"". When the scan was complete, a few seconds in my test scans, it beeped and started the web search.

 

The built-in help is just a one line one step guide that says tap the lighting bolt that is the trigger on the main screen. Help also has a link to a YouTube video that shows you how to use it. Customization of settings is done via the iPhones ""Settings"" screen. No bugs noted in about an hour of trying it out. Very cool. Now lets see if I can save some money! Oh, I just spent $1.99 on the app, but hey I think this one might be worth it! It will at least be a cool show off to those poor none iPhone folks! "

Clean Installation Did the app install easily and cleanly? (assigned weight-5)

10

Easy Configuration Was initial configuration simple and easy to understand? (assigned weight-5)

10

Configuration Options Does app offer configuration options to allow customization? (assigned weight-5)

8

Learning Curve Is app easy to lean and use? (assigned weight-5)

10

Support Website Does the developer offer a comprehensive support site? (assigned weight-4)

10

Feature Set - Does the app have a full feature set for the purpose? (assigned weight-5)

10

Help - Does app have built in help that is really helpful? (Direct access in app, access via web, or none. (assigned weight-5)

8

Bugs - Does the app work as expected, without bugs (assigned weight-5)

10

Load Time - Does the app load quickly? ( ready to use in less than 10 seconds on 3GS) (assigned weight-3)

10

Controls Does app offer adequate controls for purpose? (assigned weight-5)

9

Regular Updates Does vendor appear to keep app up-to-date? (assigned weight-3)

10

Alternative Languages Does the app support alternate languages? (assigned weight-2)

1

Intuitive Interface Is the interface intuitive (icons, menus, and directional symbols) for average users and does it adhere to good iPhone design principles? (assigned weight-5)

9

Screen Layouts Are screen layouts logical and well-designed? (assigned weight-5)

10

Navigation Is the app navigation logical and easy to use? (assigned weight-4)

10

Readability Legible text and print size that is appropriate for the intended audience. Are fonts and interface elements easy to see and read? (assigned weight-5)

8

Recovery from Incoming Call Does the app recover after being interrupted by an incoming call or message? (to test interupt app during operation ) (assigned weight-5)

10

Restart/Pause/Shutdown If applicable, does the app allow user to pause or shutdown and restart at a meaningful and logical point after previous use? If game, does it restart to place in level, or can you pause before closing app. (to test close and reopen app to see if it restarts to a meaningful point) (assigned weight-5)

10

Audio Quality Are the sound effects clear understandable and consistent in quality and volume? (assigned weight-3)

10

Audio Usefulness Are sounds and music relevant and appropriate? (assigned weight-3)

10

Graphics Quality Are the graphics of good quality and resolution; do images load within reasonable timeframe? (assigned weight-5)

10

Graphics Usefulness Are the graphics meaningful and useful? (assigned weight-5)

10