The question on the table: how valuable is a bar-code scanning service such as RedLaser to consumers?

I looked at the RedLaser website and was immediately reminded of the existing Android barcode scanner application called ShopSavvy, which plugs into Google’s Mobile Product Search database. ShopSavvy was launched in October of last year and won the 2008 Android Developer Challenge. Here’s how it works -- you point your phone’s camera at any barcode and it will read it, provide a price and give you product information such as where you can find it online or at nearby stores. When looking at the stores the product is available at, not only is the price shown but the user can go directly to the stores website, see where the store is on a map, or call the store. ShopSavvy also allows you to save products to a wish list or set up a price alert to notify you when the price drops below a set amount.