| PriceSpy (aka Prisjakt) |
| Contents | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequently Asked Questions | ||||||||||||||
| Usage | ||||||||||||||
Main menu
| Read Barcode
| Search resultt |
| Product details |
| Ratings |
| Closest shops |
| Related products |
| Show shops on map |
| Background
| |
What is the difference between the 3 lookup sites?
Each is focused on a different country and therefore the contents is very different. The Swedish one was first and therefore has the most products - hence, if you are more interested in details (and understand a bit of Swedish) it may be your best choice. However, the NZ site may be better if you only read English. The Norwegian site is quite new, but building up.
"Share via" doesn't work with some applications
This is up to each application. The listed applications claim that they can handle the provided text. Some can use the subject, but some (notably Facebook) just messes up. To make it work you need to contact whoever wrote the appther application, but please let me know when you find a problem.
Why isn't the given price (or stock figure) the same as in the actual shop?
Prices and stock figures are picked up from each web shop. Some actual shops may have different prices even though they belong to the same chain and their stock figures are not available.
Why isn't the GPS used live?
Since 0.9.9 it is used, but not very much, in order to conserve battery. The latest known position is used and when you've shown the map the position is refreshed if you move quite far (most users don't). You can force an update by using for instance the Radar function for a while.
Barcode Scanner doesn't work
Ensure you are using the latest version. The camera on Tattoo and similar low end phones that lage Auto Focus can not really be used for scanning. There is a known bug in 1.6 that has various workarounds added for X10 recently. In some cases uninstall/reinstall has helped. Fallback: You can always enter the barcode numbers manually in the search field.
Why are other applications used for barcodes and radar?
Maintaining a barcode scanner with workarounds for all new devices requires resources that I don't have - but Google sure has. Hence, using an existing application is a lot better, this also means that even though you may have several applications that need to use barcodes, you only need to install it once. This is "the Android Way".
I want more products and shops!
These are updated and added to continously. Visit www.prisjakt.nu (or equivalent) or send suggestions to support@prisjakt.nu to state your wish list.
The barcode I read doesn't match anything - what should I do?
Currently these are all logged for future use. You can suggest barcodes using the separate "Inventory" application.
The shop location in the map is incorrect - what should I do?
For now you can contact support@prisjakt.nu. In the future you may be able to suggest coordinates.
The product I searched for is on the site but is still not shown in Android
Currently, uncategorized products can not be shown since they have a different structure. Also, books are separated out. Stay tuned...
I know how to the make the application more beautiful - what should I do?
Please send explicit and creative suggestions to me.
I have a wonderful idea for a new feature!
Cool, send it to me and I'll see what I can do.
Why does the application need access to Contacts?
When you select a nearby shop you can directly navigate or call it, but you can also put it in your Contacts list for later use. Ideally you should be able to allow/disable this at installation time, and I have filed an enhancement request for this quite some time ago - please put a star on Issue 6266 on Google Code so that it may show up in a future version of Android.
Usage
Tip: Anywhere you seem to lack a feature, try a longpress in the result you see.
Main menu
Press Search and enter what you are interested in to get a list of matching products. Note that the list that unfolds below the entry field with automaticall learn from your earlier searches and selections.
Categories enables you to browse the hierarchy similar to the web site. The number of products in each category is shown and in may cases you can apply predefined filters to what is shown. THe lists are fetched in chunks of 20 at at time and can be sorted using the menu.
If you clickRead Barcode you can scan a barcode just like in any shop. This requires a separate application called Barcode Scanner - if it isn't installed already, will be guided to the right part of Market.
Feedback lets you send a message to me. Please do as it isn't possible for me to replay to what you write on Market, but obviosuly I read that too.
Help & tips is what you are reading right now.
By pressing Menu you can adjust your personal Settings.
Where am I? tries to figure out where you are. Detta requires aither GPS or "Wireless networks" - if both are disabled you will be shown the meny where it can be changed. When enabled you can use the closest shop feature.
Read barcode
To be able to scan you need satisfactory light conditions - luckily most shops have this. Be sure to scan the "correct" barcode - typically a 12 (UPS) or 13 (EAN) digits like in the picture, but some shops will tape their own special codes on top. For DVD films etc it is typically the one on the back you are after. Red 2 for 1 stickers and similar on the front hardly ever work.
Seacrh results
This list show the matches you got along with rating, category and price. Click the one you are after.
Tip: A longpress will pop up a menu with various shortcuts. If you press Menu the items can be sorted. Note that these lists are currently limited in length so selecting a different sort order will actially change the shown data delivered from the server.
Product details
Picture, ranking, category and rating is show at the top and below the shops a listed order by increased pricetag with rating and possibly stock information.
Clicka shop to go to the web site (if there is one). Click the image to get more options.
Reviews
Similar to product details, but shows rating and comments from users for the selected product.
Closest shops
Again similar to product details, but instead shows real shops ordered by distance from your current location. Note that this may affect the price.
Tip: A longpress here will also give the option to Show closest shops in map. By longpressing a shop you can call it, show it on the map kartan or show the direct in Radar. When you show the map you get a little sign with the address - klick it to navigate there (assuming you have a navigator installed). If you select Radar, you will se a radar type display with distance and direction to the shop so that you can easily work there from your parking place etc. Nte that you need the separate Radar application for this (again the application will help you) and that some coordinates are not perfect (yet).
Related products
Smimilar to a search result, but shows products that have been registered as similar to the one you just selected.
Show shops in map
All shops form the "closest" list is prestented on a suitable map. Your own position in indicated with an Android image while each shop has a PriceSpy image and the current price below. Zoom and move around as usual and then click the shop you are interested in for more options to visit, call or show radar.
Tip: When shops are close together there is a meny item to zoom in and center at that position.
Background
I started out making ths application since there was no good way of finding a good price from an Android phone in Sweden and I felt that I would really want to use the Prisjakt.nu site data.
Lockily the good guys at Prisjakt were very positive to this so progress could be swift.
You may want to combine this app with "Inventory" to keep track of the things you (and your friends) want and have. If you live in Sweden you may also find my "Zap's Hitta" useful to look up unknown incoming phone numbers. Both are available on Market.