Wal-Mart Scan & Go Program

I love technology. At its worst to can be a waste of time and distract us from what we really need to do. However at best technology can help make our lives more productive.

One company that is currently utilizing technology to do just that is Walmart. Currently they are beta testing a program called Scan & Go. The idea of this program is that you scan the items you are going to buy as you shop for them. Bagging them as you go in a reusable Walmart bag. You then, when you are finished shopping, go to a shelf check out, scan a QR code (which transfers the items to the system) and then pay for the order.

Below are screenshots of the process:

photo

If a store is in beta testing for Scan & Go you will either see the signing or be prompted within the app

photo (1)

Two of the major advantages of the program are being environmental intensives as well as time saved.  The first of these insentives is seen when you are asked to either buy a reusable Walmart bag or bring your own.  This is the bag(s) that you will put the products in after you scan them.

photo (3) 

The initial walk through screens are very helpful in explaining how to begin the process

.photo (4)

After you are pasted explanation screens you will be asked to either sign into your Walmart account or register.

  photo (5)

One interesting, and surprising addition, to the process are the included coupons that they encourage you to use.

photo (6)

As you walk through the store you simply tap the “Scan Item” button at the top right hand of the screen.  It opens your camera and enables you to scan the UPC of any items in the store.  When this item is scanned it adds it to your shopping cart.

photo (7)

When you’are finished shopping and are at the self check out registers simply click the orange “Check Out” button at the bottom right hand of the screen.

photo (8)

When you arrive at the self check out screen simply tap the “Scan & Go” button.  You will then be prompted to scan a QR code that appears on the screen.  This QR code then allows your phone to download the items you scanned into the Self Checkout.

photo (9) 

After you pay for your purchases you will receive a thank you screen.

 

Jawbone ‘UP’ App Review

In a preivous post we looked at the Jawbone ‘UP’ fitness band.  Today we look at the Jawbone ‘UP’ App.  Below is the rundown of the app.

Pros: Tracks ever kind of information you would want to keep track of your fitness (i.e. activity, calories, sleep, etc)

Cons:  Takes time to learn all the features

Redbox Instant By Verizon

At the beginning of January Redbox released a streaming video service much like that of Netflix or Hulu.    The only real difference is, for the same price as the other services, Redbox throws in 4 credits per month that can be used at anytime at a Redbox to rent a movie.  Watch the review below for the full breakdown.

Pros: Easy to navigate app with great video quality

Cons: Only a handful of newer movies available

Foursquare App Update Feels Like Yelp But Better

I have been playing around with Foursquare for about two weeks now to see if it was worth using.  I know its an older app that many people use but I wasn’t sure if it was worth extra clicks on my iPhone just to use it.  During the two weeks I have been using the app Foursquare did some updates.  Unlike most apps, where the updates are bug fixes and so on, Foursquare really added a lot more to the visual aspect of the app.  Now when I check in or update the places I have been the app just feels more user friendly.  The visual aspect of the app has really improved!  These updates make me give the app a 4 out of 5 stars.  I would even go as far to give it a 5 out of 5 if they were able to integrate the “tip” part of the app better and make it more a check-in / review app.  If this was achieved then I could get ride of Yelp and just use Foursquare, however this dream seems long in the future.

Check out the video below.

If you haven’t downloaded Foursquare yet do so HERE