Three years ago, we had an app here called Scanbuy Shopper which scanned UPC codes from products to show comparison product information.  The only problem was that the technology in camera phones was no where near read to read them, so we put it on the “shelf.”

Fast forward to 2009, enter the auto-focus camera!! Anyone who has purchased a new smartphone lately probably has seen that their camera now has auto-focus which allows you to take better, clearer pictures.  That little feature also helps you get more information from regular barcodes from millions of products you see every day.

We have just released new versions of our app to read “1D” barcodes (UPC/EAN/ISBN) for all of the three major smartphone operating systems – Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone!!

Just scan a UPC code from products like books, DVDs, or electronics to see pricing shopping information, consumer reviews, and even buy it right from Amazon.  We will be adding more features soon, but this is a great way to kick of the New Year.

Examples of phones with AF:

Android – Droid, Eris, G1, Hero, MyTouch
BlackBerry – Storm, Storm II, Tour, 9700
iPhone – 3GS

And of course, our app can also read all of the major 2D codes like Datamatrix, EZcode, and QR.  So, now all you need is ScanLife to read every kind of code you see…

Here is a demo running on the BlackBerry Tour:

Let us know what you think, and happy scanning!

Here are a couple new examples of how brands are using ScanLife in Mexico (locally called Codigo Ideas).  Telcel, the largest carrier in Mexico,  launched the service there at the beginning of 2009, and they have since pre-loaded about 15 phones with the software – with many more to come. (more…)

The Danish Rail in Copenhagen has taken their use of ScanLife to the next level.  Over the month of December, they will be placing EZcodes on posters, flyers, and newspaper ads which give people a chance to win a different prize each day.  By scanning the code, the user simply enters their mobile number to find out if they have won a wide variety of prizes from a chocolate bar to a bike to a Mini Cooper loaner for a month!

The campaign is being co-sponsored by a number of major brands like Telenor, an operator in Denmark, Gameloft, and Arla.

They have already seen about 700 scans in the first 2 days!  Happy scanning to all of you in Copenhagen…