iOS shopping apps make it especially convenient to do holiday shopping anywhere. There's no need for a computer—just get your device and start shopping. This article reviews the Amazon mobile app, the Apple Store app, and RetailMeNot. The first two apps have items for sale while RetailMeNot provides discount codes and coupons for a wide variety of retailers.
Amazon
Version: 5.1.0
Cost: Free
System Requirements: iOS 7.0 or later
The Amazon mobile app home page is uncluttered, but there are headings at the top of the page that don't do anything. Instead, begin by selecting the "Sign In," the "Skip Sign In" or the "New Customer" button. If the "Sign In" or the "New Customer" button is selected, a new page will appear with clearly labeled form controls for entering information.
Once you complete this process, a new page will load with buttons including "Home," "Cart," and "Show Navigation Menu." Activating the "Show Navigation Menu" button will bring up a new page with many Amazon website options including Gift Cards, Recently Viewed Items and Your Account. Close this menu with the "Close" button in the upper left corner. Some recommendations or items previously purchased may appear on the screen. Everything is labeled so it is possible to move past them easily.
There are two accessible ways to search for items on the home page: by using the search box or by using voice search. The search box is labeled, "What are you looking for?" Double tap on the search box and enter your query. The search button is in the lower right corner. Flick right, past the search box. First is an option to scan an item's bar code and then below that is a button labeled "Voice Search." Speak the name of the item. The first time you use this option, the app will ask for permission to use the microphone.
I typed "Bluetooth earpiece" into the search box and executed the search. To compare, I spoke the same words after activating the "Voice Search" button. In both cases, results were on the lower part of the screen and were accessed by sliding a finger on the screen. Below the results is a "Filter" button. Activating that button loads a new page with filtering options including by department, brand, and eligible for free shipping. Here again it was necessary to slide my finger on the page to read results. I chose to filter by brand and my results were near the bottom of the page. I selected Jawbone. The next page indicated that I had selected Jawbone. There were also options to clear the search, choose another brand, and dismiss the pop-up.
I activated the "Dismiss Pop-Up" button and was brought back to a search page with my results. Using Headings in the rotor, it was possible to review results quickly. Near the end of each result was a "Product Details" button. Activating the button loaded a new screen with information about the product. There were buttons to "Buy Now" and "Add to Cart." The Buy Now feature requires an Amazon account.
I made my selection and added it to my cart. The next page loaded with some additional product information and a notification that my item qualified for free shipping. There was a pop-up button for choosing quantity.
The checkout process is clear and controls are labeled. Before submitting your order, make sure to check the shipping rate. Even if your item is eligible for free shipping, this option is not selected by default. Double tap on the shipping option. The next page will load with all options listed. Free shipping is usually the first option. Select it and then check that your total now reflects free shipping. At the bottom of the page are buttons to either "Place Order" or "Cancel and Continue Shopping." If you choose to cancel and continue shopping, your item(s) will remain in your cart.
Conclusion
The Amazon app is an excellent option for holiday shopping. The tremendous variety of items available through Amazon and the app's accessible interface make it a good choice. Remember to check your shipping option.
Apple Store
Version: 3.4
Cost: Free
System Requirements: iOS 8.0 or later
The Apple Store app is not just devoted to shopping. You can also use the app to find the closest Apple Store to your location or to make an appointment with one of Apple's "Geniuses" if there is a problem with your Apple product.
At the bottom of the home screen are five tabs: Featured, Shop, Stores, Account, and Bag. When the Shop tab is selected there is a search box at the top of the page followed by buttons labeled "Mac," "iPhone," "Apple Watch," "iPad," "iPod," "Apple TV," and "Accessories." The search box was easy to use. The search button was in the lower right corner.
I typed "iPhone Charger" into the search box. Results were clearly displayed and contained the item's name, price, and shipping information. I doubled tapped on the iPhone Lightning Dock result. At the top right was a control to add this item to my bag. The item's name and price were clearly displayed near the top of the page. Next came a picker for pages, but using it did not seem to make any difference.
Below the picker were shipping options for getting the item by mail or going to the Apple store. Next were options for viewing the item's features, followed by reviews and "What's in the Box." The feature's description was clearly worded and easy to use with VoiceOver. In addition to the description, there were ways to use a Lightning Dock. The reviews were easy to read as was the information for "What's in the Box." I activated the button to add the item to my bag.
Information was displayed clearly on the Bag screen. When in the Bag screen, the Bag tab is active. If you wish to continue shopping, go back to the Shop tab. Once there, it may be necessary to go back a few screens. The "Back" button is in the upper left corner. In order to check out, activate the Bag tab.
There is an "Edit" button in the upper left corner for making changes to your bag. Near the bottom of the screen is a button labeled "Buy with other payment options." Flick right once more and you will encounter an unlabeled button. Select this button to use Apple Pay.
I chose Apple Pay. When the next screen loaded there were options to change my shipping method and a summary of what was in my bag. At the very bottom of the screen was another unlabeled button for Apple Pay.
When the next screen loaded, I needed to enter billing and shipping information. There was an option to enter the information from an existing contact or to enter the information manually. If your name and address are in your contacts list, that is the quickest way to fill in this information. Next was a screen to pay with Touch ID. After about 10 seconds, VoiceOver indicated that my payment was accepted.
Conclusion
This app has a clean, uncluttered interface. The main issue is the unlabeled Apple Pay buttons. During the payment process there are options for Help and Call Apple.
RetailMeNot
Version: 4.7.4
Cost: Free
System Requirements: iOS7 or later
It always feels good to receive discounts on purchases you make online or at stores. The RetailMeNot app provides discount codes and other offers for many retailers. Once the app is downloaded there will be some options to choose including allowing the app to use your location.
At the top left of the home screen is a button labeled "Icon Settings." Activating this button brings up a list of options including Location (whether to allow the app to use your location), Notifications, Share this App, and Log In.
Activating the Log In option will bring up edit boxes to log in with your e-mail address and password if you already have an account. There are also options to create an account and log in with your Facebook account. If you choose to log in with Facebook, you will be asked to allow RetailMeNot to access to your profile and friends.
Sign up for an account by entering an e-mail address and password. Next is an option to get RetailMeNot's newsletter, which is on by default. The final control is a button labeled "Sign Up With Email." Shortly after signing up you will receive a confirmation e-mail that requires you to activate a link for verification.
The next control on the home screen is a "search" button. I typed "Banana" into the search box. My first result was Banana Republic. Selecting this result loaded a new page with three buttons at the top: "All," "In Store," and "Online." I learned that in store I could get 15 percent off my order with a student or teacher ID. Online I could get 15 percent off with a Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic card, plus free shipping if I spend over $50. At the bottom of the screen was an option to add Banana Republic as a favorite store and a button to find store locations. As you browse the app, look for similar buttons at the bottom of screens where store information is presented.
The next option on the home screen is labeled "Our Best." By default, that button is selected, but it doesn't seem to do anything. The next button is "Just For You." Once stores have been selected as favorites, offers and discount codes will be added into this section.
The next button is "Daily Deals." Activating this button loads a new screen with a variety of special offers for the day. Find the deal you want and select it. A new screen will load with details. If a coupon code is required, the code will be listed with the instructions to copy and paste the code at checkout. Get back to the Daily Deals screen by activating the "Close" button at the bottom right of the screen.
At the bottom of the screen there are five tabs. The Home tab is selected by default. The other tabs are Nearby, Favorites, Saved, and Categories.
The Nearby tab shows a map of your surrounding area. At the top of the screen are three buttons: Stores, Malls, and Food. Although you can view selections on the map, there is a "View as List" button just above the Home tab at the bottom of the screen. Each listing gives the name of the address and any discounts for each selection.
The Favorites tab contains the list of stores that have been selected as favorites. Once a store is added to Favorites, a new screen loads with other stores you might like. Above each name is a button to favorite the store. Selecting a store in Favorites will load that store's deals.
The Save tab is where information about a particular deal can be stored. For example, Kohl's has a special giving $10 off women's apparel when you spend $40. As you review deals, there will be a button labeled "Star." Select that button to add the deal to the Saved tab.
The final tab is Categories. Within this tab is a list of categories including Beauty, Clothing, and Electronics. You will need to swipe up with three fingers to view the entire list. If VoiceOver announces that the list is empty, open any of the other four tabs and then go right back to Categories.
When you select a category, a new screen will load showing a list of deals from at least one store and usually more.
Conclusion
This app works very well with VoiceOver. Everything is labeled and there is very little clutter.
The Bottom Line
All of these apps provide very good shopping experiences. Remember to shop early!
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