A True Review of Comparison Shopping With A Mobile Phone
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Title: A True Review of Comparison Shopping With A Mobile Phone
Word Count: 521
Author: Michael Brito
Email: Michael.Brito@comcast.net
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A True Review of Comparison Shopping With A Mobile Phone
Copyright 2006 Michael Brito
Today, many consumers who make purchases online won’t buy
anything until they consult with a comparison shopping
website first such as Shopzilla, Cnet.com, or Shopping.com.
They understand that comparison shopping ensures that they
are getting the best deal around, which is what most value
conscious shoppers want after all. However, with today’s
social and lifestyle pace being faster than ever, there is
a growing need for comparison shopping on the go. Sure,
there are laptops and wireless connections all over the
place, but the average person is more likely to leave home
with their cell phone instead of their laptop. So, the
need for comparison shopping using a mobile phone was
answered and there are several ways to take advantage of
this new technology.
Google SMS
Google recently launched a new service that allows U.S.
mobile phone users to tap into its search results via the
short message service (SMS) infrastructure. Users send
queries to GOOGL or 46645 and receive results on their
phones. The service returns directory information about
local businesses via Google Local and provides price
comparison shopping information through Froogle.com. It
also lets users search for residential phone numbers,
dictionary definitions and Web search results snippets.
Google SMS also does calculations, area code look-ups and
ZIP code look-ups. Results usually come within a minute,
and are text-based only.
This is a great alternative to wasting gas money and time
driving all over the city looking for the best deal.
Frucall
Launched in March 2006 as the first price-comparison mobile
service using voice, Frucall allows consumers to compare
retail store prices with prices for the same products on
Amazon.com and online comparison shopping service Yahoo
Shopping, directly from their mobile phone. It’s a simple
solution that sidelines many services that offer price
comparison results to be sent via text message. Even
better, is that consumers can soon buy products directly
from their mobile phone, assuming they have registered and
have a valid credit card in their profile. Frucall enables
consumers in the midst of examining retail aisles to call a
toll-free number (888-FRU-SHOP) and input the product’s
barcode. Within approximately 10 seconds, the caller gets a
confirmation of the product name and the price of the
product as listed online. Currently, the service compares
prices for products from a variety of categories available
on Amazon including automotive supplies, books,
electronics, jewelry, movies, music, tools and pet
supplies. There are even features that will allow consumers
to save purchase history, makes notes, and reminders.
Lastly, is that Frucall be accessed from any phone and
since the results are not returned via SMS, there are no
text messaging fees that sometimes occurs with Google SMS.
Conclusion
With cell phones being as popular as socks, and everyone
from age 10 to 100 having one, there is no surprise that
mobile phone comparison shopping services are taking off.
It is a simple concept that brings tremendous value for
consumers who are looking to save a few dollars; and they
can now feel confident about making the right purchasing
decision, online or offline.
About the Author:
To learn about online comparison shopping tools, please
visit: www.frucall.com . Michael Brito is an
Internet Marketing Consultant - www.michaelbrito.com
- for a variety of consumer goods and services.
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