Content about smartphones

TORONTO — A recent survey of more than 6,500 U.S. consumers found that Americans consult their social media applications before, during and after retail store visits.

The survey, conducted by customer experience management solution provider Empathica, found that mobile and social customer experience strategies are becoming more important than ever for brands, with nearly 3-in-4 consumers using Facebook to make retail and restaurant decisions.

ORLANDO, Fla. — LifeProof has introduced a new protective, waterproof case for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Smartphones do — and will continue to — influence retail sales. The surveys that suggest this continue to mount, and a new Deloitte study serves as further evidence that retailers and manufacturers are wise not to rest on their laurels.

(THE NEWS: Deloitte: Smartphones will influence $689 billion in retail store sales by 2016. For the full story, click here)

This month, DSN C2B Mobile Insights presents the Drug Store Shopping Report Card. We asked our C2Bers to rate their most recent trip to the drug store — or wherever it is they go primarily to shop for pharmacy and health and beauty items. We received more than 1,500 responses from all over the country.

NEW ORLEANS — Energizer showcased its new line of portable chargers earlier this month at the International CTIA Wireless Conference's MobileFocus event in New Orleans.

The chargers, which are expected to roll out this year, feature sleek, ergonomic designs, along with blue LED charging and battery status indicators. The products on display were:

• Energizer instant charger: Available for iPhone, iPod and micro USB devices, use AA Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries to increase the run time of smartphones;

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC has implemented an in-store program that will allow customers to scan a QR code using their smartphones to access recipes with tips for grilling Steakhouse Choice cuts of meat.

MADISON, Wis., and RALEIGH, N.C. — Grooming products company Remington and software development firm Kadro Solutions have announced the release of the i-Light Pro mobile application for iPhone, Android and iPad, in conjunction with the U.S. release of Remington i-Light Pro Intense Pulsed Light hair removal system.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The fact that 3-out-of-every-4 smartphone and tablet owners use their devices to help them shop is downright frightening. Because the real question then becomes, "Where are those consumers making that purchase — is it at retail or with someone whose name starts with 'www.'?"

NEW YORK — More than three-quarters of U.S. smartphone and tablet owners have used their mobile devices for shopping-related activities, according to a recent Nielsen survey.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Retail clinics and medical centers are poised to expand, thanks to several enhancements in technology.

Technology is changing the general merchandise aisles. Online greeting cards have grabbed share from traditional cards, and photofinishing is taking a hit as consumers move to digital photo publishing.

When retailers look for products or services to fill the vacuum left by shrinking categories, they’re looking for something consumers want today and will still need tomorrow.

The uBreakiFix concept suggests one possibility. The electronics repair chain specializes in iPad, iPhone, iPod and smartphones, and offers walk-in repair services while consumers wait.

PITTSBURGH — GNC has introduced a new, free mobile application for Android and iPhone devices.

Designed to extend the store experience, GNC said its app, which first debuted last March for iPhone devices, includes such new features as:

• Updated design: The main menu now is organized with nine user-friendly buttons so users can quickly and easily access the information they want to find;