So this is strange. Coles is running a trial of a device that lets you essentially dictate your shopping list to a device attached to a fridge magnet, and then automatically transmits that into information a Coles shopping list app or into a Coles Online order.
The device itself is the Hiku, which is already available to purchase in the US for $79 (right now, it doesn’t ship to Australia). Coles has seeded 50 of the devices with families in Australia and is running a test over two months to see how they use it. It uses voice recognition to allow you to add items to the list as you remember it, or you can scan the product codes on existing items.
Should this go further, I imagine there would be a trade-off — you’d score a Hiku free or at a discounted price, but it would be locked to working with Coles. (The standalone Hiku has its own shopping list app for Android or iOS.)
I’m in two minds about this. It’s definitely better to shop with a list than without one, and one advantage of the Hiku approach is that multiple people can add to the list. Then again, that’s also true if you share a Google Doc, and there’s a risk here that your kids will add more Kit Kats every three seconds. Plus, you’re tried to doing all you shopping at one supermarket. What do you think?
Comments
12 responses to “Coles Is Testing A Smart Fridge Magnet You Can Dictate Your Shopping List To”
keen!
i already use a list app on my phone to manage my shopping list – this seems like it could be easier
From memory you can share a shopping list with coles app as well no need for the Hiku (though i use OurGroceries [haven’t switched to a better app because getting the wife to use a new app always meets with resistance]) but the benefit is the Hiku is always in the kitchen and i presume you dont have to run an app to use it so its just scan / speak and your done.
I just use a Google Keep note and tick things off as I go. Super handy as it’s shared with my wife. Have a bit of an aversion to Coles as they often smell pretty bad, at least around the entrance which is where you make your impression of the store. Occasionally pop in to get something but not often.
WW is much, much cheaper as you can buy the gift cards from heaps of different places for up to 5% off and my wife works there, so another 5% off on top of that.
+1 for sharing a Google Keep note. Now if a barcode scanner app on my phone could feed into it…
Less interested in Coles and more interested in Hiku itself. Why can’t they just bring it over here?
Sounds very much like what Amazon is currently doing with its Dash button
https://www.amazon.com/oc/dash-button
Only that the ones linked to Amazon can be connected to an iOS app or Android app. It sends a notification for every purchase, so if you or your children “accidentally” orders more Cadbury’s then you can cancel the order from your smartphone, even when you’re not at home.
Looking forward to see how much Coles can emulate what Amazon is doing.
You know a pretty good way to make a shopping list?
Pad and pen. Pretty straight forward.
And anyone in the family can add to it if you keep it on the fridge like we do.
But a piece of paper can only be in one place at a time. Our family uses “Our Groceries” so any one of us can pick up stuff at any time. Driving past the hardware store? Check the Hardware list. Getting your hair done near the Butcher? Check the “meat list”. Means fewer trips to the shops and up to date portable shared list saves time. And no more forgotten shopping list that’s still on the fridge.
I just use WonderList for my cloud-based shopping list needs. I share the list with my partner. When we add or remove an item it updates in real time with apps on both Android or iOS, in addition to a desktop site. It means if you’re in a rush to do the shopping you can split up and start at opposite ends of the supermarket, meet in the middle, and you should have everything you need. Plus it works at Aldi, Coles, or Woolies!
ShopShop
Best shopping list app on iOS. It’s free, integrates with Dropbox and shared across multiple devices.
Clean, simple interface.
Not affiliated with the developer, just love the app.
If you own certain LG, Samsung and some Euro fridges, product bar codes are read going in and out of the fridge.
You can choose to read the shopping prompts available if you so desire. My sister-in-law uses it to judge what’s in the fridge that she cannot see.
And, it’s not so long ago (2004-2010) that the option of an internet fridge was available.
http://www.samsung.com/au/consumer/home-appliances/refrigerator/french-door/RF288CECASL/SA
http://www.gizmag.com/go/1132/
It was a good seller for a couple of years but demand dried up.