Mobile Price Comparing App Development

Summary

A UK startup running a gamified online loyalty program wanted a mobile app that shoppers could use in-store to compare prices by scanning barcodes and then play for discounts and freebies. INNERLUXES built native iOS and Android apps with a barcode price-comparison scanner that works online and offline, plus a spin-the-wheel feature that either wins a product free or converts the stake into a future discount. Both apps shipped on time and within budget to the App Store and Google Play.

About the Client

The Client is a startup operating an online loyalty program enriched with gamification elements that helps shoppers in the UK make their shopping experience more engaging.

Compare Prices In-Store, Then Spin to Win

The goal was a mobile app that registered participants could download and activate while shopping. It had to identify items from a particular retailer or store by reading barcodes and then give the user a chance to spin a virtual wheel of fortune to win freebies and discounts for the selected product.

Native iOS and Android Apps With Scanning and a Lucky Wheel

The Client chose the two major mobile platforms, and INNERLUXES delivered both:

• iOS app — built in two months by one iOS developer and one tester, integrated with the Client's backend and server, compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and optimized for iPhone 5.
• Android app — delivered in 1.5 months by one Android developer and one QA specialist, fully meeting the requirements and compatible with Android 2.2 and higher.
• Barcode price comparison — both versions let a user scan an EAN-13 barcode and search by it, comparing in-store products and prices on the go against other offers, online and offline.
• Gamified discounts — users can try to get a selected product for free by spinning a colorful, animated wheel, betting a small amount from their topped-up account; an unsuccessful spin converts the stake into a discount on future purchases from the registered retailers.

Two Apps Shipped On Time and On Budget

• The apps were successfully developed and are available on Google Play and the App Store.
• The project was accomplished on time and within budget.

Technologies and Tools

Android: Android SDK, ZXing, Android Fragments, JSON, Eclipse, Android animation, ADT emulator, Camera API, Canvas.

iOS: macOS X 10.7, iPhone 5.0 SDK, Xcode 4.2, Objective-C 2, UIKit/Core Graphics.

The ZXing library was used on both platforms to read barcodes (and can also read QR codes).