Content about smartphones

November 9, 2011
Sears Holdings enters the future of shopping with mobile walls

Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears and Kmart have entered the future of staying connected to consumers introducing mobile shopping walls in high-traffic areas.

The shopping walls, which will feature top toys that customers can purchase from their smartphones by scanning the products' QR code, will be available in select malls across the United States, and, for Kmart only, in movie theater lobbies in major markets. Additionally, shoppers can find the Sears and Kmart mobile walls in airports in Chicago, Dallas, Denver and Puerto Rico, and at bus shelters nationwide.

November 2, 2011
Consumer Cellular gains distribution through Florida-area Walgreens

Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, on Tuesday announced a distribution agreement for its line of contract-free cellular phones and plans at 826 Walgreens locations throughout Florida.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Consumer Cellular, the exclusive wireless provider for AARP members, on Tuesday announced a distribution agreement for its line of contract-free cellular phones and plans at 826 Walgreens locations throughout Florida.

The line of phones includes a Motorola WX345, which features a digital camera, MP3 player and FM radio for $34.99 and the Doro PhoneEasy 410, which features an easy-to-read color display, large buttons, backlit keypad, vibrating ringer and Bluetooth technology for $59.99.

October 27, 2011
Winn-Dixie introduces smartphone app that helps manage Rxs

Winn-Dixie is looking to help pharmacy customers better manage their prescriptions by introducing a new mobile application for iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphones.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie is looking to help pharmacy customers better manage their prescriptions by introducing a new mobile application for iPhone, Android or Blackberry smartphones.

October 19, 2011
More consumers to use mobile devices to comparison shop this holiday season

It looks like this year's holiday shoppers have a renewed focus on value and will comparison shop by utilizing smartphones, tablets and mobile applications to make purchasing decisions, according to the latest National Retail Federation survey.

WASHINGTON — It looks like this year's holiday shoppers have a renewed focus on value and will comparison shop by utilizing smartphones, tablets and mobile applications to make purchasing decisions, according to the latest National Retail Federation survey.

October 11, 2011
Energizer introduces new universal USB chargers, Qi-enabled inductive charger

Energizer has expanded its portfolio with its new line of Energizer Universal USB chargers and cables, as well as the addition of the Energizer Single Zone inductive charger to its line of Qi-enabled products launched last year.

Energizer has expanded its portfolio with its new line of Energizer Universal USB chargers and cables, as well as the addition of the Energizer Single Zone inductive charger to its line of Qi-enabled products launched last year.

September 19, 2011
Nutracheck introduces bar code scanning app for U.K. users

U.K.-based weight-loss program Nutracheck has introduced its Calorie Counter application for the iPhone, designed to scan bar codes of more than 10,000 products in the U.K. food database.

NOTTINGHAM, England — U.K.-based weight-loss program Nutracheck has introduced its Calorie Counter application for the iPhone, designed to scan bar codes of more than 10,000 products in the U.K. food database.

September 12, 2011
HHS, AT&T partner on mobile diabetes self-management program

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and AT&T on Monday announced an initiative to evaluate the use of mobile devices to deliver diabetes self-management training within an underserved minority community in Dallas.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health, the American Association of Diabetes Educators and AT&T on Monday announced an initiative to evaluate the use of mobile devices to deliver diabetes self-management training within an underserved minority community in Dallas.

September 6, 2011
Energizer presents latest innovations at trade show

Energizer's latest portable power solutions are making their debut at the IFA Consumer Electronics Global Trade Show in Berlin this week.

BERLIN — Energizer's latest portable power solutions are making their debut at the IFA Consumer Electronics Global Trade Show in Berlin this week.

The brand's power-on-the-go lineup includes:

August 18, 2011
NRF survey: Back-to-school shoppers using smartphones, tablets

A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one-third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

WASHINGTON — A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one-third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information and even make purchases.

August 1, 2011
Retailers look to own multichannel consumers

Traditional retailers today are marshalling their online resources to complement their brick-and-mortar stores, and retail pharmacies have an opportunity to use websites, social networking, smartphone applications and various combinations thereof to own multichannel customers.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Traditional retailers today are marshalling their online resources to complement their brick-and-mortar stores, and retail pharmacies have an opportunity to use websites, social networking, smartphone applications and various combinations thereof to own multichannel customers.

July 27, 2011
BTS shoppers plan to use Web-enabled smartphones, social networks to save this year

Inflation-related concerns will prompt back-to-school shoppers to utilize certain shopping tactics, including smartphone and social network use, to save this year.

NEW YORK — Inflation-related concerns will prompt back-to-school shoppers to utilize certain shopping tactics, including smartphone and social network use, to save this year.

July 25, 2011
VoicePort partners with Unwired Nation to extend platforms to mobile apps

Speech-recognition software developer VoicePort and mobile-applications-as-a-service company Unwired Nation have entered an agreement to port the former’s customer service software to smartphones and tablets, the companies said.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Speech-recognition software developer VoicePort and mobile-applications-as-a-service company Unwired Nation have entered an agreement to port the former’s customer service software to smartphones and tablets, the companies said.

Rochester, N.Y.-based VoicePort and Austin, Texas-based Unwired Nation will use VoicePort’s Kinita and PharmaPhonetics platform to create mobile apps. VoicePort’s software uses advanced speech recognition self-service technology to automate interactions for the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industries.

June 30, 2011
Consumers still concerned over state of economy, turn to Internet for deals

Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

CHICAGO — Concerns over the health of the economy are far from over, as evidenced by a SymphonyIRI Group survey released Wednesday that found consumers are taking even more steps to save money due to their ongoing financial concerns, including turning to the Internet in search of the best deals.

List making and coupon clipping still are top of mind for consumers as they struggle with high gas prices and question their job stability. Additionally, the survey uncovered that consumers are turning to the Internet to find the best deals, SymphonyIRI said.

June 20, 2011
Digital coupon wave: Clipping to surfing

Couponing is digitizing.


Although printed circulars remain the workhorse of the nation’s coupon distribution system, a growing share of the coupons consumers are handing cashiers are emerging from online distribution sources and are being printed out at home. A smaller but growing segment also is being handled exclusively through electronic means via smartphones and mobile technology.


June 16, 2011
ModiFace introduces 'ultimate' virtual makeover app

ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies and applications, announced on Thursday the launch of new virtual makeover technology for iPhones, iPads and Android phones/tablets.

NEW YORK — ModiFace, a provider of virtual makeover technologies and applications, announced on Thursday the launch of new virtual makeover technology for iPhones, iPads and Android phones/tablets.

June 6, 2011
Investing in multichannel strategies will help retailers in long run

Perception feeds reality. That is as true today as it was when the economy first started its rollercoaster plunge back in 2008. The perception is that the consumer is on her way back. And while that is fast becoming reality, today’s retailer will be looking to commit its capital expenditures to more than just the traditional new Main-and-Main locations.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT — Perception feeds reality. That is as true today as it was when the economy first started its rollercoaster plunge back in 2008. The perception is that the consumer is on her way back. And while that is fast becoming reality, today’s retailer will be looking to commit its capital expenditures to more than just the traditional new Main-and-Main locations.

May 26, 2011
Technology could help patients kick bad habits

Medication nonadherence is sort of similar to substance abuse: It’s a societal issue that stems from multiple causes and as such, probably will never completely disappear; however, it still can be mitigated. And because it stems from multiple causes, effectively combating it also requires multiple strategies.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Medication nonadherence is sort of similar to substance abuse: It’s a societal issue that stems from multiple causes and as such, probably will never completely disappear; however, it still can be mitigated. And because it stems from multiple causes, effectively combating it also requires multiple strategies.

May 23, 2011
Jean Coutu Group adds photo boutique to app

The Jean Coutu Group has announced that it now is offering a photo boutique on its iPhone application, which enables users to have photos printed through a smartphone.

LONGUEUIL, Quebec — The Jean Coutu Group has announced that it now is offering a photo boutique on its iPhone application, which enables users to have photos printed through a smartphone.

May 19, 2011
Medco, Verizon developed mobile app

Telecommunications provider Verizon Wireless and pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions have unveiled a mobile application that the companies said would allow patients and their doctors to instantly find the lowest-cost prescription drugs to meet their health needs and identify potentially harmful drug interactions.

FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. — Telecommunications provider Verizon Wireless and pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions have unveiled a mobile application that the companies said would allow patients and their doctors to instantly find the lowest-cost prescription drugs to meet their health needs and identify potentially harmful drug interactions.

April 25, 2011
Are coupon ‘extremists’ bad for business?

Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


Call it “the attack of the coupon-crazed shelf sweepers.” It’s the most aggressive form of bargain hunting by consumers willing to spend hours searching out coupon deals, to stock up with enough product to last their families for a year and to turn their homes into veritable warehouses.


April 6, 2011
New app offers diabetics meal planning tips

Quantia has partnered with dietitian and diabetes educator Hope Warshaw to develop EatSmart, a mobile diabetes application.

WALTHAM, Mass. — Quantia has partnered with dietitian and diabetes educator Hope Warshaw to develop EatSmart, a mobile diabetes application.

EatSmart, currently a free download available for the iPhone, Android, smartphones, tablets and the Web, is an app that provides those affected by or at risk for Type 2 diabetes with simple meal planning tips and tricks.

March 29, 2011
Stop & Shop launches app

Stop & Shop has gone mobile.

QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop has gone mobile.

The retailer on Monday announced that it has developed a mobile application, designed for iPhone and Android devices, which syncs with customer loyalty cards, providing access to online accounts. Customers can access store circulars to check out everyday savings on the go and also get directions to the nearest Stop & Shop.

Stop & Shop customers are invited to download the mobile app for free at the App Store or Android Market.

January 4, 2011
Cobra's PhoneTag links valuables

Cobra's Bluetooth tagging system, which links a smart phone to its user or other valuables, will make its debut at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

LAS VEGAS — Cobra's Bluetooth tagging system, which links a smart phone to its user or other valuables, will make its debut here at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

The Cobra PhoneTag, powered by Phone Halo Technology, is a two-way alarm and loss-prevention device that links the Android, BlackBerry or iPhone smart phone to its owner or his or her valuables.

December 22, 2010
Food Lion goes mobile

Food Lion has unveiled a new mobile app that puts its stores right at customers' fingertips.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has unveiled a new mobile app that puts its stores right at customers' fingertips.

The new app, developed in partnership with Mercatus USA, gives customers the capability to create shopping lists, access weekly specials, download new recipes and locate stores. Also giving customers more bang for their buck is the opportunity to sign up for the Food Lion MVP loyalty program through the app.

The app can be accessed by visiting the iTunes library, and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod devices.

December 17, 2010
PediaCare Shopper’s Guide simplifies cough-cold purchases

Prestige Brands introduced an iPhone application in support of its PediaCare line — the PediaCare Shopper’s Guide.

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — Prestige Brands introduced an iPhone application in support of its PediaCare line — the PediaCare Shopper’s Guide.

It’s an application that will help parents navigate the pediatric cough-cold aisle when they’re physically shopping the shelf, and help to alleviate two parental concerns around kids' cough-cold remedies that have garnered media attention of late — accurate dosing and the spate of product recalls.