Occipital, the company which we know for its ClearCam app, has released the application called RedLaser for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Touted as the “first accurate barcode scanning application for the iPhone,” it allows users to snap a picture of a barcode and search for online product prices using Google product search, or click through to see Amazon results. Then once they get the list, it can be forwarded to friends and/or colleagues.
From Occipital’s press release:
The lack of autofocus has made it extremely difficult to create an accurate scanner for the barcodes most common worldwide – UPC and EAN. In contrast to standard barcode libraries, Occipital’s system mathematically compensates for out-of-focus images, yielding accuracy far beyond anything available today. Occipital’s system removes the need for a macro lens or any other special hardware.
See, it’s a cool technology, hence Occipital also announced the release of an SDK to allow other companies to use it in their apps. Among the first companies that opted to use the technology is Applied Ambiguities, which will integrate it into its iPhone wine application – Cor.kz.
We’ll certainly watch where this goes. In the meantime, if you want to give RedLaser a try, you can buy it from the AppStore for 2 bucks.