BarPoint.com (OTC BB: BPNT), the company that is revolutionizing mobile and Internet use of unique product identifiers such as Universal Product Codes (UPC) for businesses and consumers, today announced the planned Q3, 2000 availability of their BarPoint Shopper(tm) application for Microsoft's new Pocket PC platform. In addition to accessing BarPoint's distinct "reverse search" product information and on-line shopping service at no cost via the Internet, consumers will also be able to easily use a Pocket PC device to capture any product's unique 12- or 13-digit barcode number. This special application for handheld devices will expedite a user's on-line research, product comparison, or purchasing via traditional retailers, e-retailers and auction sites.
"E-commerce on highly configured PCs has set a standard that has kept handheld devices at a disadvantage," commented Chuck Davis, BarPoint's CTO. "Until now, e-commerce on the desktop has had more features than pervasive computing devices. Unlike PCs, these devices didn't properly address secure transactions. Graphics were limited or nonexistent and there was no effective color for displaying a product's image. The Pocket PC addresses all of these points and then some."
In addition to a standalone configuration, the BarPoint Shopper application for handheld devices will also support barcode-enabled Pocket PC products such as Symbol Technologies' PPT 2700. Along with an internal barcode reader, this device is designed to easily manage the rigors of everyday use. With the PPT 2700, a user can simply swipe products as if checking out items in a grocery story and then let BarPoint deliver an in-depth profile for each one.
"Whether in a wireless or synchronize mode, devices such as the Pocket PC will enable a new level of consumer interaction with BarPoint's extensive product database and partner portfolio," commented Jeff Sass, BarPoint's executive vice president and COO.
"Imagine dining at a fine restaurant and you are served a really great Cabernet. You'd like to get a bottle for yourself. It will be as easy as entering or scanning the UPC code with your Pocket PC. Then the BarPoint Shopper will give you access to product specific information about that wine, including a color image of the label, a chart of expert comments and locations where the wine is sold, so you can purchase it for yourself, at your convenience. This is so much more engaging than a textual readout from a standard comparison service."
[ Home | Contact | MobiChat | Experts database | Let's do it ]
Comments to the content of this page can be posted on the MobiChat discussion group