High Tech Grocery Shopping

The SmartShopper Automated Grocery/Errand List Assistant

By Jeff Gottesman

Sometimes I think…is it really necessary to make a simple task “high tech,” or are we letting technology get the best of us? Is it really necessary to automate a task such as creating a shopping list? Well, no not really….but it’s certainly easier and more fun!

We all have that piece of paper stuck to our refrigerator (typically using a magnet displaying the phone number of the local pizza joint), and we jot down groceries and supplies as we discover we need them. Usually, I have the last jar of something in my hands and I search for a pen and try to figure out how to continue cooking, hold the jar, and write the item on the list (and pens don’t usually work in a horizontal position). The result is that I get sauce on the list and cannot read my handwriting anyway. Sometime in the future when I decide the cupboard is bare, I plan a trip to the grocery store with my list. But since it is mostly illegible and disorganized, I first create a new list that I’ll be able to read…with items categorized so it will be easier to locate everything in the store. That’s how most of us do it…right?

Now enter the SmartShopper. This is an electronic device that eliminates the need for paper and pencil (or pen). It conveniently attaches to your refrigerator with magnets (just like your old “list”) and sits there awaiting your instructions. Let’s say you need eggs. You push the botton and say “eggs” and the SmartShopper uses voice recognition technology to display what it thinks you said (and it’s correct most of the time). Three items are displayed on the screen that most closely match what you said (including “eggs”). Push the button and eggs are added to your shopping list.

The SmartShopper comes pre-loaded with about 2500 items that are typically found in grocery stores. The items are categorized under headings such as Fresh Produce, Office Supplies, Beverages, Snacks, and many others. A booklet is enclosed in the box that lists all the pre-loaded items sorted both by category and alphabetical listing. If you have a tendency to speak with your mouth full, there is a way to “tweak” the voice recognition system to tune it to your own voice.

Now of course we all have items that we shop for that are..let’s say..out of the ordinary. You can easily add items to the internal memory by spelling the item on the screen and then “speaking” it so that the SmartShopper can memorize the item. When you add a custom item you are also asked to indicate the category under which it falls.

Now it’s shopping day and you’re ready to hit the aisles. Your shopping list is always displayed on the screen and you can easily scroll through it to be sure you didn’t forget anything. Simply press the “Print” button and a built-in thermal printer provides you with an easy to read list of your grocery needs…sorted by category for easy shopping.

If you have to run errands along the way, you can also “speak” the places you have to go, like the bank, post office, UPS, workout, and even your Psychic. There are about 60 pre-loaded errands, and just like grocery items you can add custom errands the same way. These errands also print out on your grocery list so you won’t forget to make the stops.

SmartShopper runs on four AA batteries and comes with three small rolls of thermal paper. Additional paper can be ordered from their website (www.smartshopperUSA.com). I’ve checked, and their own website seems to be the best price for replacement paper.

I have found that having the SmartShopper on my ‘fridge has allowed me to completely eliminate all my paper lists. It is much easier for me to “say” what I need while I have my hands full, than to try to write it down. Instead of re-writing my lists several times before I go shopping, it’s so much easier to just press the button and get a printout. While I found that entering new items is a bit cumbersome since you have to move a cursor to each letter as you spell it out, you only have to do it once so it’s worth the trouble.

I quickly found that I really like using the SmartShopper and as much as I hate to admit it, technology rules…even on my refrigerator door!