Technology developers Mirasense recently released shopping app Scandit, a next-generation barcode scanning app for the iPhone. While this free app includes price comparisons, reviews, and the ability to share items over social networks and email, the actual barcode scanning technology is what sets Scandit apart.
Scandit’s Scanning Technology
Scandit’s patent-pending scanning technology recognizes barcodes instantly, without requiring an auto-focus, and regardless if barcodes are aligned straight or blurry.
The BostInnovation team tested the scanner through plastic wrapping, on curved bottles and even with scratched barcodes, and all were read successfully. Popular gadget blog Ubergizmo rated Scandit as better than scanning app competitor RedLaser, which eBay acquired this summer. BostInnovation also tested Scandit against competitor ShopSavvy with its 6 million users, which did not recognize one of the item’s barcodes we tested. Overall, Scandit is much faster at recognizing items, and what’s more, doesn’t require you to press any “scan” button while simultaneously trying to hold your phone steady.
Since many other apps use scanning technology like RedLaser’s, Scandit’s management team is licensing the technology through their developer SDK. The SDK supports a variety of “barcode symbologies,” includingEAN8, UPC-E, UPC12, EAN13, EAN128 and Code39. The technology is currently available for iPhone and Symbian, with Android in the works.
Scandit’s Other Features
Aside from its breakthrough scanning technology, Scandit’s features are all about allowing you to see at a glance if something is a good deal or if you’re getting ripped off. The app prioritizes scanned item results by price at major retailers (e.g. Kmart, Amazon, etc.) and lets you sort by new and used products. Additionally, Scandit provides user-generated product reviews that vary from a few to hundreds depending on the product to help you make your purchase decision.
You can even purchase an item through Amazon from the Scandit app, save it to a watch list for later purchase, or even share it with your friends over Twitter, Facebook or email.
Scandit’s Boston Ties
Chief Technology Officer, Christian Floerkemeier, led Scandit’s technology efforts along with two former visiting researchers at MIT — now COO and CSO. Floerkemeier has been the Associate Director of MIT’s Auto-ID Lab for the last four years, which focuses on developing “The Internet of Things” with RFID and wireless sensors (badass). He is credited as being instrumental in standardizing and improving RFID technology here in the US.
Co-founder and CEO Samuel Mueller also has Boston ties. Mirasense was selected into this year’s Venture Leaders 2010 program hosted by Swissnex Boston – an entrepreneurship accelerator and academic and business interface between Switzerland and the Boston area. Swiss-based startups engage in a 10 day intensive program here in Boston where they meet local high tech companies, receive academic training from Babson College professors, and network with members of the Boston innovation ecosystem.
Scandit’s Video Demo
Since its launch in the app store, Scandit has a 4.5 star rating from 21 different reviewers. Check out their video demo below:
You can download the Scandit app here, and don’t forget to follow Scandit’s development on Twitter and install their Facebook app here.
