Put it on the List!

I was asked if I wanted to review the SmartShopper Grocery List Organizer. You speak into this electronic device and it records all the items you say and then prints out your grocery list for you. I couldn't quite understand the concept, but I was intrigued so I checked it out.

Here's the deal. It's a fairly small device that can be stuck to your fridge magnetically or mounted on your wall (it comes with hardware). It comes pre-programmed with 80 pages FULL of grocery-related items. All you have to do is push the "record" button on the unit and say what you need from the store. This machine records the item in its memory. When it's time to go to the store, simply press the "print" button and it'll print out a list for you. Not only that, but it organizes the list into sections like fresh produce, dairy, snacks, beverages, etc. If there's something you need from the store and it's not already programmed into the SmartShopper, you can easily add it to the library. You can even add in errands such as haircut, bank, dry cleaners, etc.

After reading the instructions, I decided it sounded pretty cool, so I tried it out. I said, "bananas" and it gave me a choice of
wart medicine
cold medicine

OK then. Let's try this again. I said the word, "bread". This time I was given the choice of
haircut
bucket
butter

Hmmm, that's not right. I'm enunciating and projecting. There's no background noise to interfere. Let's try again. This time I said the word, "eggs" and was given the choice between
car wax
crab cakes
eggs

Well, at least the item I want is included in the possibilities this time! Let's do another one.

"Yogurt."
bell peppers
canned cabbage
bucket

"Yogurt."
deodorant
celery
super glue

"Yogurt."
not in library

"Yogurt."
deodorant
yellow onions

"Yogurt!"
deodorant
sugar blend
powdered milk

"YOGURT."
liver
liquor
kitty litter

"YOGURT!!!!!"
chopped nuts
children's medicine
unshelled nuts

I decided The SmartShopper was a good idea, but it definitely has some bugs to be worked out. At this point, Austin and Savannah asked if they could try it and every single word they said, showed up!

"Orange juice"
orange juice

"Peanut butter"
peanut butter

"What bread"
wheat bread

They looked at me like I was stupid and said, "All you have to do is hold it a little farther away from your mouth, Mom." Duh

So I tried it again and lo and behold, the kids were right! Grrr. It works. If I had only read the instructions a little better, I would've known this. The instructions clearly tell you to speak 6-8 inches away from the unit. AND (that's not all!) there's even a section on improving the voice recognition! You can "train" the SmartShopper to better recognize your voice! Pretty cool, huh?

I'm a huge list person. I make lists for everything (you know, because I'm turning into my mom). I can't tell you how many times I think, "Oh I need to get (insert name here) from the store the next time I go." Unless I stop and write it down right then and there, I will totally forget it. With this, it would be handy to just press a button and say, "Batteries" or "diapers" or "green peppers" or whatever it is you need. The fact that the list is organized into sections is especially handy for those husbands who can't find a thing in the store without very specific instructions!

I'm not sure I'll be able to retrain myself from writing lists to letting the Smart Shopper write my lists for me, but I do think it's a nifty little gadget! This is a great idea for those hard-to-shop-for people on your list.

SmartShopper has reduced their price to $79.99 for the rest of the year. In addition, those interested in purchasing a SmartShopper can use the exclusive code JF55925 until December 31 to receive an additional $5 off their order. All orders placed between now and December 31 will receive free ground shipping to U.S. destinations! (I'm sorry, I've been a bit behind on reviews, so I'm not sure if you can get delivery in time for Christmas with regular ground shipping.)

And, I have one SmartShopper here for a random winner that I will choose on Monday! Leave me a comment here for your chance to win!