Introduction
monoca 2 recently received a major update to its Barcode feature that allows the user to instantly capture and search for product barcodes. Right from the monoca 2 item creating screen, users can look up the items on Amazon, eBay, and via a Google web search. The Amazon search feature is not completely finalized for the US market, however. Barcodes searched on Amazon from within the monoca 2 app will take the user to Amazon.jp, the Japan-based Amazon platform.
As I thought about the different use case possibilities with the barcode lookup feature, I could not find an immediate convenience for cataloging one-time purchase items such as books. Later, I realized that feature would significantly enhance the convenience of ordering ‘maintenance’ items such as return register air filters, air purifier filters, or water filters (sink or refrigerator). We’ll explore that concept more in another article.
For the purposes of this article, I chose several objects with different origins to better evaluate monoca 2’s barcode search function. The results were impressive. Let’s get into it!
Previous Articles
In previous articles we’ve discussed using monoca 2 for collecting and rating coffee, registering purchased products for warranty, and using category presets. Links to those articles as well as where to download monoca 2 for both Android and iPhone are posted below.
Collecting and Rating Coffee with monoca 2
Warranty Registration with monoca 2
Reorganizing the Garage with monoca 2
Where to Download
The fully unlocked version of monoca 2 comes with unlimited item creation, 10 shared groups, no ads, and higher resolution icons and images, is available for a single, lifetime unlock payment of $9.99. Share your device’s trial code with a friend to give them a 25% discount. Share each other’s codes and you can both receive a discount.
App Store: Download for iPhone/iPad
Google Play: Download for Android
Web(Beta): https://monoca2.web.app/
Category Parameters
Since this article was meant to serve as a test for the new update, I’ve yet to incorporate the barcode field into other previously made categories as an enhancement, but plan to review them soon. The category is called BARCODE TESTERS. Inside there are three subcategories: Shipped from Japan, Bought in US, and Books. When choosing the subcategories, my goal was to test different kinds of items to investigate how effective a search monoca 2 performed.
I will carry forward the subcategory fields listed below into a new category for Wishlist items. An often-overlooked function of monoca 2 is the user’s ability to create new Collections. The default collections are All Items, Owned Items, and Wishlist. Up until this point, items listed under the various categories discussed in these articles were all owned items of mine. After the barcode update came out, I realized the potential to ‘price watch’ an item seen in the store. Refer to the second set of screen captures for more info on this.
Subcategory Fields
- Barcode (Barcode)
- Price (Number)
- Best Price Source (Text 1 Line)
- Date for Best Price (Date)
- Note (Text Multiline)
- Photo (Images)
Search Items via Barcode
After the initial category setup, it was time to add my test items. I chose a chocolate drink powder mix that is a special import item, a book (Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy), and a metal toolbox from Toyo brand in Japan—also a specialty import. While not shown below, I took a photo of the chocolate drink mix container but it was blurred. The barcode scanner works so quickly, as soon as it’s within the camera’s view it is captured. Crazy.
It’s important to note that an item’s barcode cannot be searched prior to the item being saved. Once saved, tapping the barcode pulls up a search directory. As mentioned earlier, searching Amazon searches Amazon.jp, not the US Amazon. Let’s avoid that for now.
Using the eBay search option, the barcode found the exact print for my copy of Anna Karenina. The web search, seen on the next screen capture, pulls up the book’s listing on the US Amazon (I verified), and on Penguin House, the publisher’s website.
No Secondary Barcode Application
If you are an iPhone user, even on the most up-to-date version of iOS is unable to read barcodes directly with the camera in the same way it scans QR codes. The thought may have occurred to some readers that using monoca 2 for scanning barcodes is somehow slower. Depending on whether a user downloaded a separate barcode app has, I’d guess the speed is the same or slower. It is not an exaggeration when I say the search results after tapping each search platform were nearly instantaneous. Sola executed the API (application programable interface) used for connecting each platform well.
Conclusion
Even as I wrap up writing this article, I imagined another use for the barcodes: looking up children’s toys as a kid. It’s any wonder my own mother didn’t kick me out of the house for being so annoying. Every time we went to a supermarket that sold more than just groceries, you can bet I begged to walk the toy aisles. One of the beautiful things about the internet is the access and speed with which anyone with a connection can access information. If you’re walking the aisles with your kid and they want a specific toy, with monoca 2 you easily confirm if that store has the best price or if it’s cheaper online.
Knowing the barcode can be equally useful when searching for rare or collector’s items as they are unique, allowing the user to pinpoint the exact items they’re looking for. As I go about the next couple of weeks, I’m sure I will think of more applications for the new feature. Until then!
If you have any feedback or suggestions for content in future articles, leave a comment below. I look forward to hearing from you and we’ll catch you on the next one.
Where to Download
The fully unlocked version of monoca 2 comes with unlimited item creation, 10 shared groups, no ads, and higher resolution icons and images, is available for a single, lifetime unlock payment of $9.99. Share your device’s trial code with a friend to give them a 25% discount. Share each other’s codes and you can both receive a discount.
App Store: Download for iPhone/iPad
Google Play: Download for Android
Web(Beta): https://monoca2.web.app/
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