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Turn an Android camera into a barcode scanner

Turn an Android camera into a barcode scanner

Vote: (39 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: ZXing

Version: 4.7.8

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(39 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

ZXing

4.7.8

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Will work on any type of barcode, including those found on books and DVDs
  • Completes a scan in a few seconds or less
  • Does not require any other software
  • Will work with QR codes

Cons

  • May not recognize some barcodes
  • Is better for using with books than other products
  • Requires that you have a working camera on your phone

Barcode Scanner is an Android app that turns any device into a scanner that checks the barcodes on products to help you find that item for sale. It's a great way to comparison shop and ensures that you get the best prices when shopping.

If you ever shopped online before, you know that finding a good price on an item is often hard and usually requires that you look at dozens of sites to find the one with the best price. Barcode Scanner can make online shopping easier and help you find books that you will actually enjoy reading.

The only thing you need to use this app is a working camera on your cell phone. When you open the app, it will access your camera and put a rectangular box in the center of your screen. You then hold this box directly over the barcode and let the app go to work. It will make a series of small yellow dots pop up to let you know that it's scanning. After the scan completes, which should only take a few seconds, it will tell you what it found and give a link that lets you get Google search results relating to that item.

Using Google is great because you can learn more about that product before you buy. This is especially helpful for book lovers. When you buy a new book, you never know if it will become one of your favorites or one you cannot even get through. Google search results will show you reviews of that book that others posted online. You can also use the information provided to see the price that book sells for on different sites.

While Barcode Scanner is a fairly unique app, it doesn't always work the way you might hope. Some tests found that it could not identify a large number of the barcodes scanned. You will still need to use the app and wait for it to finish scanning before you see if it finds anything. There is also a chance that the app may identify the code but that Google does not give you any information.

As the app will also work with QR codes, you can use your phone to find fun stuff associated with those codes. Scanning a certain code may take you to a company's website and give you coupons for future purchases. Some QR codes will take you to the marketplace and let you download new games or other apps for your phone too.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Will work on any type of barcode, including those found on books and DVDs
  • Completes a scan in a few seconds or less
  • Does not require any other software
  • Will work with QR codes

Cons

  • May not recognize some barcodes
  • Is better for using with books than other products
  • Requires that you have a working camera on your phone