Amazon Mobile

You’re in the store and see something you want. If you’re an Amazon user, like zillions of people in the world, you might have a “wonder if” moment: “I wonder if Amazon has that.” Pop open Amazon Mobile, use your phone’s camera to scan the item’s bar code, and voila! You’re smack dab in an Amazon search.

Amazon Mobile isn’t your go-to app if you’re looking to comparison shop, unless you’re happy comparing just between Amazon and its slew of vendors. Champion shoppers know there are lots of apps (Red Laser, Half.com, Shop Savvy, to name a few) built for bargain hunting.

While Amazon Mobile is never going to send you to its competition, it does get a leg up on other shopping apps for one thing: your existing Amazon account. If you scan it, find it, and want it, all you have to do is touch the button to pay for it, and it’s on the way. The app is available for iPhone and Android with all the same features except one that’s special to the iPhone: Amazon Remembers, an experimental feature that allows you to use the iPhone camera to create a visual wish list of anything from your coworker’s handbag to a stranger’s coat. The feature then serves up similar products available on the Web. Color us impressed.

Reviewed: May 23, 2011 | Phil Hornshaw