Navigating inside a big-box retailer or even a mall can be daunting even for regular customers. Point Inside thinks so too and has been hard at work looking for a solution, which they are now rolling out in Meijer, a Midwestern supercenter chain in the US.
The free application is called Find-It which has apps for the iOS and Android platforms. It is an indoor positioning system that uses WiFi instead of satellites to track your approximate location. Aside from letting you easily run around your favorite retail outlet, it also gives you the precise location of any item you are looking for.
How Find-It Enhances Shopping Experience
Point Inside’s Find-It app is designed to significantly enhance the shopping experience by providing a seamless way to locate items within a store. Imagine walking into a vast supercenter and needing to find a specific brand of cereal. Instead of wandering through multiple aisles, you can simply use the app to pinpoint the exact location of the item. This not only saves time but also reduces the frustration often associated with shopping in large stores.
Moreover, the app can be particularly beneficial during busy shopping seasons like Black Friday or the holiday season when stores are crowded, and finding items quickly becomes even more challenging. By using the Find-It app, shoppers can navigate through the store efficiently, making their shopping experience more pleasant and less stressful.
Future Developments and Potential Uses
Point Inside already has similar setups running in malls and airports, but this is the first time they are offering a drilled-down location system to a client. The startup plans to include points-of-interest and real-time information in future iterations of their system. This means that in the future, users might not only be able to find products but also get real-time updates on stock levels, ongoing sales, and even the shortest checkout lines.
For example, imagine being able to see which aisles are currently less crowded or getting notifications about flash sales happening in specific sections of the store. This kind of real-time information can transform the shopping experience, making it more dynamic and interactive.
Additionally, the potential uses of this technology extend beyond retail. In airports, for instance, travelers could use a similar app to find their gates, locate restrooms, or discover dining options. In malls, shoppers could navigate to their favorite stores or find the nearest exits. The possibilities are vast and varied, making indoor positioning systems a valuable tool in numerous settings.
Will they give you the ability to become the Mayor of Aisle 4? Only time will tell… Have a look at our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
via Moconews
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.