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Iscan was launched in March 2000 and the company has since developed the technology for barcode and RFID scanners based on patents it filed in the area of data acquisition of mobile phones.
The barcode scanner is currently developed to work on the Ericsson R320, R310 and T28.
The scanner is approximately the same size as a matchbox and connects directly to the phone. It is scanned over barcodes, whereby real-time information is sent, via WAP or SMS to the phone, which can in turn be used for a number of activities, including home shopping, mobile gaming and logistics.
"It will enable couriers to scan packages as they collect and deliver," Paul Doherty, technical consultant for iScan told ElectricNews.Net. "If you're home shopping, you can scan the barcode of a product as you put it in the bin, and it's added to your shopping list," he said.
The company has also developed radio frequency identification (RFID) scanners, which, according to Doherty, have huge potential for providing real time information in terms of animal tracking.
The products will be launched at the frontline exhibition in Amsterdam in August. As of yet the barcode scanner is not available for general purpose and the company will target it mainly at the business market first.
"While the consumer market is the ultimate market, the business market is easier to get into," Doherty said.
The product is currently retailing at USD150 although that price is expected to be lowered when it achieves a wider penetration on the consumer market. Iscan hopes in the near future to adapt the product so that it can also be used in conjunction with other mobile phones on the market.
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