Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper iPhone app now available

Oct 18, 2010 5:25 PM

Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper
Photo: Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports today announced that our newest iPhone shopping app, Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper, is available in the Apple App Store for $9.99 for the first year (in January, the price will go up to $14.99 per year). Android users can look for a version for their phones soon, as well.

This new app builds on the launch of our mobile site, Consumer Reports Mobile, by adding the ability to scan barcodes to find product information. Consumers have three ways to use the Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper app. They can do a text search for product names or browse through thousands of product Ratings in five categories (Appliances, Electronics, Car Products, Babies & Kids, and Home & Garden). But the slickest and fastest way to use it is to scan a product's UPC barcode with your iPhone.

Whichever way you find a product, you'll receive instant information, including Ratings and Features & Specs. There's a feature that lets you select several similar products to narrow down the Ratings chart, so you can compare prices and specs. You can "save" products you're interested in and also can post them on your Facebook page for friends to see what you're shopping for and provide their input. Twitter integration is on the roadmap, as well.

When you're ready to make a purchase, Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper gives you the option of shopping online (in a partnership with PriceGrabber) or shopping at local retailers (Milo is the partner for that feature).

Consumer Reports Mobile Shopper also includes a Vintage Photo Gallery with historical Consumer Reports testing photos.