Seeking a steal
This one falls into the category of 'why didn't I think of this?'
Frucall.com is a website, still in beta but set to launch properly later this month, that offers price comparisons on all sorts of goods (electronics, books, music, clothes, etc.) sold online. It sounds a lot like a metasearch, but there is one twist--you can access their search capabilities through your mobile or land-lined phone, without needing a data plan or text messaging. The system works by searching items online by their UPC code. So a consumer out shopping at Best Buy, for example, can call a toll-free number, tap in the bar code they see on the product in front of them and, in about five seconds, get a list of prices from online vendors, including shipping charges. If you are a registered user (but it is not necessary to use the free service), you can also purchase the product via the system. The ad-supported service (although the system is relatively light on ads at this time) seems like it will be a handy number to have logged into your mobile address book--especially if you are bargaining with a salesperson for the best deal.
