Through our recent L¹ ThingLink Image Tagging Activity, we received some very creative requests for ways to improve shopping experiences, both on mobile devices and in physical retail environments. We’ve been taking note as, increasingly, new and innovative next-gen shopping solutions are being released. Check out some of the coolest mobile developments that our participants requested (and received)!

• Participant Request: Color Matching App

I would like an app where you could scan, using your phone, a color you would like to wear. Then, the app would offer up other products that match that color.

App:L’Oreal Color Genius App
Platform: iPhone
Functionality: use your iPhone to take a photo of a desired color (your shirt, for example) and then decide whether you’d like to Match It, Blend It or Clash It with makeup products by L’Oreal Paris. The app even provides a daytime and an evening color palette.

• Participant Request: Digital Fitting Rooms

Stores should add “digital” fitting rooms! These could be screens or tablets you could play with and virtually try on clothes.

App: Bodymetrics
Platform: iPad and in-store use of PrimeSense 3D Sensor Scanning Technology (and, eventually, home use of Xbox Kinect or some other scanning platform)
Functionality: Bodymetrics’ 3D body-mapping scans users’ body sizes and then allows them to try on clothes from partnering retailers and, if desired, make a purchase. The product has debuted at Bloomingdales in Los Angeles and select locations in London, but demonstrations suggest in-home scanning and shopping applications aren’t far off in the future.

• Participant Request: Local Discovery App

I am a big fan of online deals to spark interest in restaurants. In Buffalo, they occasionally do “Restaurant Week” where all participating restaurants offer a meal at a discounted price. It gives you information on what the meal would cost and also alerts you of interesting places you might have not otherwise heard of.

App: ScoutMob
Platform: iPhone, Android, Blackberry
Functionality: the app provides lists and guides about the best local businesses with a focus on character and quality curated by Scoutmob scouts. You can also sign up to receive alerts about exclusive deals offered by the best local businesses in your area. Convenience is key for this app; you don’t have to pay for deals or print coupons—just show the deal on your phone to receive discounts.

• Participant Request: Store Inventory App

Instead of having to look through the paper or look through a website to see if a store is having a sale, I would like to be able to see it on my phone or tablet and have an option for them to “hold” my size/color/etc. in a particular item.

App: Snapette
Platform: iPhone
Functionality: with a focus on fashion, Snapette allows users to see into stores’ current inventories and view a list of running promotions from global retailers. The app also brings in social shopping by displaying images added by its users instead of merchant photos and by allowing users to like and comment on each other’s images.

• Participant Request: Scan for More Information

I would love it if I could scan mannequins or displays with my smartphone and get information about the product (pricing, its location in the store, or related products).

App: Amazon Flow
Platform: iPhone
Functionality: Flow allows you to point your iPhone camera at an item (granted it’s in the Amazon catalog) and see an instantaneous augmented reality overlay on your phone’s screen. The app’s AR overlays include product information, customer reviews, audio or video previews of items, and instant purchasing options.

Header image credit: Andrew Stawarz, (cc) some rights reserved.

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