The iPad’s a lot of things, but one function I hadn’t considered it for is shopping companion. So PriceGrabber, the comparison-shopping Web site, got me thinking when it released an app developed for the iPad (there’s already a PriceGrabber app for the iPhone).
The app is free, but I found it disappointing. I got more information just by going to PriceGrabber’s website on my iPad. On the website, I can sort in a wide variety of ways, including by price and popularity. I can narrow my choices by brand, price, and other metrics.
But there is one advantage offered by the app, and that is the ability to search by your current location or by ZIP code, options not available on the website. But if you’re shopping with the iPad outside your home, you’ll need either a 3G model or a mall with a Wi-Fi connection.
In addition, when I tried the app while shopping from my desk, it provided only online store options, which eliminates the need for location-based shopping. There’s also no way to indicate the distance you want the app to search for a store, for example “search within 5 miles.”
So here’s my advice: If you’re taking your iPad to the mall on a shopping trip, use Safari (the iPad’s Web browser) and go to the PriceGrabber Web site first to narrow down exactly the product you want, then go to the app to help you find the location nearest you with the product you want. Be sure to turn on the shop-by-location option, which you get by clicking on the gear icon in the top right corner of the display.
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D. Audio
05:26:16 AM on Wed May 12 2010
I just scan the bar code with my Droid and know everything I need to know about prices right away from a variety of Web-based sources.
Mindy Ferguson
06:22:18 PM on Mon May 17 2010
I believe you aren't understanding the functionality of the PriceGrabber iPad app correctly.
You say the app allows you to search by your current location or by ZIP code -- options not available on the website. That isn't correct. The app uses the GPS in the phone to calculate the tax and shipping so you can see the BottomLinePrice of the product. This isn't new functionality, but it does allow the user to see the total price of a product when they consider purchasing it. You can also manually enter in a ZIP code if you are shopping away from the location you wish to have the product shipped to.
In regards to the app only providing online store options, the PriceGrabber website also only provides online store options. Local availability is not a feature of PriceGrabber.com.
You are mistaken when telling people to go to the site and narrow down the product you want before using the app to help you find the location nearest you with the product you want. That seems to contradict everything you said in the paragraphs above.
Bad review of a perfectly good shopping app. I use this app regularly. The site itself has saved me a lot of money over the years and the new app for my iPad is a great compliment.