Look out retailers. Mobility gives the “Precision Shoppers” the ability to rule this holiday season as they will be equipped with competitive deals from a host of retailers. As smartphones, tablets and iPads have become more affordable and faster, there has been shift from shopping via the PC to the mobile device. More and more consumers are walking around with a small computer in their pockets when they are out shopping. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Westfield Malls have taken notice and developed apps to help make shoppers more confident and position them to get the best deal in less time than shopping the old fashioned way.

Because I like the idea of being a “Precision Shopper” I broke down a bought an iPhone, because I knew it was the tool that would truly make me an informed shopper. The list of shopping related apps and sites are becoming endless. Below are a few that I have found to be handy and easy to use:

• Amazon Mobile Compares items and pricing of what you see in store with what’s available online.
• Coupon Sherpa: This handy iPhone and Android app lets you know what coupons are available for stores near you.
• Google Shopper: Get product pricing, availability and reviews for products by scanning barcodes and cover art, or by voice and text search. Google Shopper also shows great deals around you and lets you buy, view and redeem Google Offers.
• ShopSavvy: This Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader allows you to find the lowest online or local prices. Search across merchants in North America and Europe and tap into almost every major retailer to find the best deal.
• RedLaser: This free scanning application for your smartphone scans bar codes or QR codes and allows you to check prices, and find the item in stores nearby. It also checks for food allergens!
• RetailMeNot: This offers insights into who has the best deal on Black Friday, as well as acting as a source for store coupons. RetailMeNot is not an app yet so I recommend that you Like them on Facebook.
• TheFind Catalogue: Exclusive to the iPad and Android tablets, this app lets you flip through the same full-color retail catalogs you’d normally receive in the mail (It helps you to be green especially if you don’t want all those catalogs in your home).
• Tweetalicious is a “shopping discovery engine” that allows you to find deals that are posted on Twitter.com.
• Westfield Malls Shopping App: Westfield Malls has an app that lets you comparison-shop over your phone while you’re in the mall. It really is made for the “Precision Shopper.”

The “Precision Shopper” is the savvy shopper armed with the resources to discover, evaluate and compare items before making a purchase. I am known as a deal hunter and now, armed with my iPhone, I will be able to surf my way through this holiday season with the ability to locate the best possible deals.

Lauren Brill is focused on building relationships and developing effective and integrated marketing solutions for a variety of clients ranging from law and marketing firms to automobile manufacturers. Lauren will identify your target markets, create messages and execute your on-line and off-line strategies. If you or your organization is in need of assistance on an integrated marketing or an interactive project, Lauren can assist you and can be reached at laurenbrill@sbcglobal.net or 773.758.2462.

I am very excited about this new app for the iPhone. Viddy is another Social Media outlet similar to Instagram. Where with  Instragram you can add filter effects to your photos and share them, with Viddy you can do the same with videos.

Viddy is a simple way to share 15 second vignettes of life around you with movement, audio and music. There are a variety of different effects to enhance your video. Connect with other would-be cinematographers, Facebook and Twitter friends, plus share on YouTube and Tumblr. Just one more way to bring the fun things witnessed in this world to our friends.

Android and Blackberry users, no need to feel left out, Viddy is working on a version for you also.
 

I took this one a couple days ago while walking the boardwalk in Laguna Beach. From my phone. Pretty cool, n’est-ce-pas?

Now that I have completely devoted my techno-self to Apple products, I am all about accessorizing them. If you have yet to make the leap to everything starting with an ‘i’ these products just may persuade you.

Stands, Tripods and Grips:

	GorillaMobile Yogi - Joby has designed the perfect flexible tripod for either your iPhone or iPad. Wrap it around a rock or tree when out capturing yourself in the wilderness or wrap it around your treadmill so you can watch a movie while you exercise. Buy the GorillaMobile Yogi for iPhone from Joby for $39.95 or $49.95 for the GorillaMobile Yogi for iPad.
	Coulvue Car Mount - Say good bye to portable video players for the car. The Coulvue grip holds the iPad securely to the back of a car’s headrest. It can extend, tilt and swerve to what ever your needs are. Watch a movie, play a game or listen to music. Can you say road trip!  Buy from TouCoul for $79.99.
	The Oona – This stand has two suction cups that allows you to attach it where ever you need it. Perfect on your windshield to use as a GPS, or a stand to use your phone as a camera. It is really convenient for just about anywhere you need your iPhone to be stationary and handsfree. Pre-order from Oona for $25.00.
	Hanfree – This iPad accessory allows you to comfortably watch a movie or read an eBook   in bed or relaxing on the couch. Pre-order here for $50.00. The plan is to start shipping by mid-July.

For the Photographer:

	iPhone Printer - Who uses a camera anymore since an iPhones takes great quality pictures that are easy to upload to computer or directly on Facebook. Now you are able to print your favorite pictures directly from the iPhone, because it is still nice to have the actual photo to put in a photo album. Buy from Hammacher Schlemmer for $159.95.
	Telephoto Lens – Did I already mention that we not longer need a camera? This just proves it! This lens attachment zooms by eight times. It comes with a special case that allows the lens to screw on securely. When not in use simply unscrew the lens and put it in your pocket or bag. The case becomes your permanent protective cover for your iPhone. Buy from Photojojo for only $35.00 (Not a typo).

Cases:

	The Grip – The Grip allows you to securely carry your iPad in a durable aircaft aluminum frame. Choose from a selection of colors and finishes to make your iPad unique. Buy from Colorware for $250.00.
	Waterproof Pouches for the iPad – This E-Case protective case is completely waterproof and will keep your iPad safe from all elements, but still allows you to use and view the touch screen. Buy from Amazon for about $32.
	The Wallet - Happy Owl has already come out with the perfect Clutch and now they are about to launch the Wallet for the iPad 2. This case has space for your personal items, such as, money, keys, business cards and, of course, your iPhone. Very handy when you use your iPad for business. To preorder for an August shipping date go to Happy Owl Studio for $59.99.

Chargers:

We have covered a few fanstastic solar chargers in a recent article but here are still a couple more that are really worth a mention:

	Solar Window Charger - We are not sure how we missed this one! This charger easily attaches to your window to catch the sunlight while your iPhone sits on the window sill. Buy this from this German site for approx $75.00 plus shipping.
	Reusable Power - Callpod AC wall charger packs in enough energy to charge your small electronics at least four times in one charge. Great to take with you when plug in and solar are not an option. Buy from Callpod for $49.95.

Home Security:

Lockitron – We have all seen the car commercial where the woman is in the airplane and remotely starts the car to impress her husband’s friend. Lockitron has devised a wireless deadbolt kit that allows you to unlock your door from anywhere in the world (as long as you have internet). It also enables you to give out ‘temporary keys’ to guests and text message access. How cool is that!  Check out the video that explains how it all works. Buy directly from Lockitron for $295.

For the iPod Nano:

	iWatchz Watch Band for the iPod Nano – Just think that your  Nano, the perfect iPod for working out with, can now not only be worn like a watch, but also is a watch! The Nano’s clip just slides and clicks into place on the face of the iWatchz. It is available in a varitety of styles and colors that co-ordinates with your fashion sense. Buy from iWatchz from $24.95 – $89.95.
	Hex Watch Bands - Is the iWatchz band a little too casual for you? No worries because Hex has come up with a stainless steel band with a solid clasp that hooks into the back of your Nano clip. Buy directly from HEX for $69.95.

For Kids:

If you have young children you realize that your covenanted iPad has become their favorite toy. And why not it is ours! So, I have put their DS Nintendos, Leap Frog Readers, video players and digital cameras all on craigslist and now we share my iPad. Are they too young to get their own iPad? Among the thousands of apps available for kids, here are a few accessories that I like.

	iMarker Digital Stylus – Simply download the ColorStudio HD App and the iMarker interacts with this animated coloring book that combines, music, sound effects, animation and special effects. The Stylus is a marker, crayon, pen and paintbrush all in one allowing your child to have limitless creativity. Buy here for $29.99
	Joystick-it - Bring your gaming (I mean your kid’s gaming) to a whole new level with this Joystick-it. It works with thousands of different game apps that have on-screen control pads of some kind. Easily removed from touchscreen when no longer in use. Buy from Thinkgeek for $39.99 for two.
	LightBoard – This accessory makes the iPad a portable art table. The protective case and screen shield protects it from potential damage. Slide in a piece of paper and let your little Picasso start creating. Buy from Griffin Technology for $39.99.

Did I miss any? Because you know I want to know!

As Succulent Wives, sports paraphernalia is not often on our radar, but we love everything about the concept for the Ipso BrandNew Awards. Reminiscent of the Kickstarter crowdfunding program (which we wrote about here), the Ipso BrandNew Awards also encourages inventors and entrepreneurs to submit their creative concepts. Except that in this case, the awards focus on sporting-goods industry entrepreneurs by giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves on a very visible scale to a potentially global market.

The awards are in their 10th year and, every year the best contestants are selected by an international expert jury which looks at each applicant’s product for “best in” innovation, design, brand features, market potential, and marketing. The winner and finalist receive the support they need to bring their projects to the next level on the international market.

This initiative is laudable on so many levels: we love that it promotes independent designers, entrepreneurs and start-ups in the prohibitively hard-to-penetrate sports market. We love that it promotes innovation, which is always the key to help us all moving forward and the sporting goods industry is in need of that just as any other. And we love the fantastic winning products, some of which have already made it to market (such as the Inertia XFrame. Watch the video to see how cool this product is for campers) and others that we still need to wait for wider release (such as the 360Ball, a new racket sport played on a round court. I soooo want to play this!).

Check out the other cool concepts in the finalists category, such as the Fit4Drums fitness program and the SwissRoomBox which transforms the trunk of a car into a fully equipped camping mobile in no time. Definitely ideas and products worth watching out for…

Do you have an inventor in your family? Or know a true sports buff with a constant flow of new ideas on how to improve, modify a game or sport? Send them to the Ispo BranNew Awards page. The submission deadline for the 2012 awards is November 1, plenty of time to concoct a new sporting game over the summer.

Are you planning on traveling with your pets this summer? You may want to check out the Blanket Online ID for your feline or canine. The British Columbia based company uses the web to facilitate getting a lost pet home, no matter where they are in North America.

The tags come in a variety of stylish colors and patterns. Once the pet owner registers with the company, they create an online record with photos, medical notes and other details. If the pet goes missing, BlanketID will broadcast an email to local SPCA, animal hospitals, shelters and other local members – almost like an AMBER ALERT for pets.

When a pet is found, the finder can enter the BlanketID number and access all the information to get the pet safely reunited back with their owner.

Whew! Just one way of getting a little peace of mind during your vacation. And for only $24.99 CDN. Go to BlanketID.com to purchase a tag and register little Fluffy or Fido.

I’d love to say this happens only to my husband and to my kids, but to be honest, it happens a lot to me too, mostly because I have way too many options to carry my phone. Handbag? Clutch? Computer bag? Gym bag? Phone wallet? Coat pocket? Oy!

So, as you can guess, I’m going to tell you that this little device solves the locating problem. It does, and then some. It’s called the Zomm and, when activated, it will alert you (vibrate, flash and sound an alarm) when you are more than 30 feet away from your phone. Ever left your phone in a cab? Fall out of your pocket? Ha, you know why you need this.

Besides this, because the Zomm has a Bluetooth speakerphone, it will also notify you on incoming calls. Attach it to your keychain or loop it to the outside of your bag and, with one push of the very conspicuous button, you have a speakerphone through which to answer your calls. Great for the car and us gals with the super-large-and-then-fit-in-the-kitchen-sink-phone-swallowing sized handbags. Uh-hu.

Besides that, the Zomm can become a personal safety device that sounds a loud panic alarm and dial emergency services, if ever needed.

This is one smart little number.  You can buy it directly from the Zomm website or from Amazon (where it’s cheaper).

The Zomm was invented by Laurie Penix. The idea came to her in an exercise/Oprah-induced epiphany. You can read more about that here. In the meanwhile, here’s Henry, Laurie’s husband explaining the clever little device:

Click here to view the embedded video.

But now, since moving to the Chicago North Shore, with nary a gate or wall  in sight, and small children galore, and the Halloween “spirit” already omnipresent (and adorable), I’m thinking that I might just give it another go. All this to say that I was surfing the net to find clever ideas… I found lots, that I will report on later this week, but in the meanwhile, it’s the Hallowindow DVD that really got my attention. WARNING: NOT for young kids, unless you intend to scar them for life. This is for the adult crowd (ok, teens too). Perfect for an adult Halloween party. I love the creepy animations and sound effects (the eyes are already a classic) that would immediately set the mood for any Halloween event.

Click here to view the embedded video.

You can pop the DVD in your television’s DVD player or use a projector to project on a wall or through a window. You can order the creepiness here for $26 CAD.

Yoostar allows users to star in scenes from their favorite movies alongside famous actors. With the proprietary camera, software and green screen kit, anyone can recite their favorite lines and appear in a chosen movie scene. How’d they do it? Actors are digitally “removed” from certain scenes so that the user can now perform in their place. You can already reserve a YooStar system to be priced at $169.95. The movie clip lineup currently includes scenes from The Godfather, Forest Gump, Thelma and Louise, Psycho and The Terminator. I think that they need to add Office Space to that list. A certain number of clips will be included with the system purchase while others will be available for individual purchase at $2 to $3 each.

And, to ensure that the littlest ones in the family can also participate, YooStar has partnered with Sesame Street to provide 160 clips where kids will be able to filmed alongside their favorite Sesame Street characters. A little rhetoric with Oscar the Grouch maybe?

Guitar hero, move aside. Movie Hero is here. With a little green screen movie magic, the most desperate Hollywood wannabes can now have their moment on screen. Sounds like this could be a fun family night.

I going to sound like a back-of-the-1950′s-magazine-advertisement now, but strangely enough, it’s a case of  download this iPhone game app and “impress your friends”. The graphics of the little steel ball rolling around the mini wooden labyrinth are just too perfect. It feels like you are playing the real thing. You can even calibrate your phone to make sure that the steel ball rolls on the correct plain. I showed off the game to subjects in every age category from 8 to 68 and all marveled. It’s challenging enough for gamers and just manageable enough for neophytes.

The best part: it’s FREE. The problem: it takes a lot of battery power.

As usual, you can go to the iTunes App store to download… for free.