ShopSavvy has become one of the most popular Android applications since its launch in October 2008. The application lets you take a picture of any product barcode in a store, and returns competitor prices for the same product from online retailers and other physical retail locations near you. Previously ShopSavvy used the T-Mobile G1’s built-in GPS to find your location, but Big in Japan, the mobile idea shop that built ShopSavvy, has announced today that the application now also uses Skyhook Wireless’ Wi-Fi location technology.
Using GPS inside a store isn’t always reliable as it can be tough to get a satellite fix in order for your location to be acquired. Skyhook’s technology eliminates this problem, as its global database of Wi-Fi hotspots can either locate you without GPS or augment location coordinates resulting in a more accurate location reading.
I think this is the first Android application I’ve seen that has implemented Skyhook’s Android SDK since it was released in January. But with paid apps now accepted into the Android Market and more Android-based phones expected this year, I’m sure we’ll see Skyhook have a large Android app positioning presence in the future.
New users to ShopSavvy and current users alike will have to download the latest ShopSavvy Version 3.3-Gigan to access the new Skyhook addition. The update also includes faster barcode scanning, stealth mode, private mode, a menu shortcut integrator and even Twitter integration.
