The following entries are part of New Scientists third annual Greener Gadgets competition. The competition aims to inspire more eco-friendly consumer products.
1st place
Augmented Living Goods is a concept for a cellphone app to help people choose local and sustainably produced groceries.
A user would scan the barcode of an item in a shop, and their cellphone would then inform them where it came from and whether or not it is in season, and relate its price history and comments from others who have already bought it. It was designed by Shane Blomburg, John Healy, Seth Laupus and Andrew Reeves.
Brilliant idea. Smartphones have bridged the gap between phone and computer and it's really important that we have app's that aren't just about gaming and calculating your tips, but that are about our current global issues -
ReplyDeletethis does it by building up a catalogue of information (from previous customers etc). Could this be developed to even point you in the direction of your nearest small scale, sustainable grocer? Just to spread the wealth from the likes of the Walmart group?