GoodGuide – Review
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating:
By: GoodGuide
Version #: 1.1
Date Released: 2008-11-05
Developer:
Price: 0.00
User Rating:GoodGuide is an example of a good idea with a poor execution. The app is a bar code scanner much like a myriad of other apps such as RedLaser, but once the product is scanned it tells you how well the product meets green standards (how environmentally friendly it is, etc). Unlike other apps which seem to concentrate on food, this concentrates on any item that has a bar code attached to it.
The scores seem somewhat arbitrary (and this is coming from someone who gives arbitrary opinions on iPhone apps) but it seems to be from a score of 0 to 10 with 10 being the highest. The app also gives a listing of the products with the best ratings.
One of the major problems with the apps is the limited list of products. There are only 65,000 products in the database, which may seem like a lot but is only a small sample of the myriad of products in the world. It is possible to search the database for a particular app if you install on a device without a camera like an iPod touch.
You can also keep lists of products stored on the device, if there are any you prefer due to their "good" rating. It’s also possible to filter products by certain criteria such as product type and their degree of enviornmental friendliness.
The other annoying aspect of the app is that it seems to automatically sign a person in using their Facebook ID. Haven’t these people heard of privacy?
I give the app a resounding "eh". Once again, it’s a good idea but the developers definitely need to work on this one some more. Good ideas would include a good help menu and a definition of each score type along with a larger database of products.
Quick Take
Value:Medium.
Would I Buy Again:Even for free, I'm somewhat ambivalent.
Learning Curve:Low.
Who Is It For:Those who wish to keep a green Earth.
What I Like:Good concept.
What I Don't Like:Definitions of "green" not communicated. Needs more product in the database.
Final Statement:The GoodGuide is good, but not great.
O U R T A K E ...