SmithMicro launches mobile commerce iPhone app

June 1, 2009

Quick Report

In response to the slowing economy, Smith Micro is helping consumers save money on their purchases via its new Gift Guru iPhone application.

Software designer Smith Micro has teamed up with PriceGrabber to launch the Gift Guru application, which is designed to help users compare prices and shop for gifts directly from their iPhone or iPod Touch.

"Gift Guru is designed to help shoppers stay organized and save time," said Fletcher Wu, product manager at Smith Micro Software, Aliso Viejo, CA.

"The application is a great organization tool, perfect for shoppers that don't have a lot of time to run around town, as well as users that have multiple people, events or holidays to buy gifts for," he said.

Smith Micro Software Inc. is a software company, most well known for its QuickLink-branded connection management software.

Gift Guru is Smith Micro's first application for the iPhone and iPod touch.

The application also lets users manage their gift-giving responsibilities through the year. Users are able to access http://www.pricegrabber.com through the application, which they can use to track down potential gifts and compare prices to avoid overpaying.

PriceGrabber is an online shopping service that provides its visitors with price comparisons, user-submitted product reviews and ratings and merchant discounts.

Additionally, a Gift Guru user's personalized account can be pass-code protected, allowing gift and gift status to be kept secret from friends or loved ones.

"The pass code will be especially useful to shoppers who share their mobile device with a family member -- especially one for whom they might be gift shopping," said Evie Smith, account manager at Forty Three Public Relations, Santa Cruz, CA.

Users will be able to insert gift recipients directly from their contacts list.

Additional software will allow them to track purchases and manage their gift budgets.

Gift Guru features a Gift Status Indicator, which will notify users of upcoming holidays and gift-giving occasions.

This feature can be personalized to provide notifications for upcoming birthdays, anniversaries and other gift-giving occasions specific to the user.

"Users can create lists of friends and family -- as well as occasions such as holidays, birthdays and anniversaries -- all while being able to track gift ideas and the status of each particular gift," Mr. Wu said.

The Gift Status Indicator function will also let users assign photos to contact entries and set notification alerts for upcoming gifts that may be due.

Additionally, a history archive feature will be provided, which will allow users to keep track of all past gifts given.

"Phones are generally on us at all times," Mr. Wu said. "When the chance to purchase a gift or add a gift to Gift Guru occurs, their iPhone or iPod Touch will always be available."