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Replacement app for Grocery Gadget?
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Patty Winter
Apr 25, 2016, 12:05:02 PM4/25/16
to
I've been using Grocery Gadget on my iPod touch for a few years,
but it's no longer available on the App Store, so I can't put it
on my "new" iPhone. I don't understand why it isn't available in
the "Not on this iPhone" list, but it isn't.
I've just tried out at least half a dozen grocery apps, and can't
find one as convenient as GG. Here are the features I would like:
* A built-in database of generic items. I've found some apps that
don't have any databases (so I would have to type each and every
item to create my master list), and others that have so much detail
that it's hard to find the one you want. For example, I just tried
one that had separate milk listings for every store in its database
that carry milk: Trader Joe's milk, Walmart's milk, etc. If it has
"Milk 1%" in there somewhere, I never found it. Similarly, I wanted
to add gingerbread mix in another app; I finally found a Betty Crocker
listing that said "Betty Crocker Cake & Cookie Mix" with "Gingerbread"
in small type on a second line--and I couldn't edit the listing.
* Customizable category assignments. I was trying one app yesterday
that, understandably, had cream cheese assigned to the "Dairy" aisle.
However, the store I usually shop at has the cheeses in the deli,
half a store away from the dairy section. Each item in that app is
hard coded to a specific aisle, so I couldn't change it.
* Text-based. I've seen some apps that are apparently designed for
people who can't read, because they have big pictures of the foods
that take up a lot of screen real estate.
* Photos and notes. Occasionally I want to add a note or photo to
make sure I buy a certain version of a product.
It's possible that the paid version of one of the free apps I've
tried would offer the usability I want, but the free versions have
not led me to believe that.
Any ideas?
Patty
but it's no longer available on the App Store, so I can't put it
on my "new" iPhone. I don't understand why it isn't available in
the "Not on this iPhone" list, but it isn't.
I've just tried out at least half a dozen grocery apps, and can't
find one as convenient as GG. Here are the features I would like:
* A built-in database of generic items. I've found some apps that
don't have any databases (so I would have to type each and every
item to create my master list), and others that have so much detail
that it's hard to find the one you want. For example, I just tried
one that had separate milk listings for every store in its database
that carry milk: Trader Joe's milk, Walmart's milk, etc. If it has
"Milk 1%" in there somewhere, I never found it. Similarly, I wanted
to add gingerbread mix in another app; I finally found a Betty Crocker
listing that said "Betty Crocker Cake & Cookie Mix" with "Gingerbread"
in small type on a second line--and I couldn't edit the listing.
* Customizable category assignments. I was trying one app yesterday
that, understandably, had cream cheese assigned to the "Dairy" aisle.
However, the store I usually shop at has the cheeses in the deli,
half a store away from the dairy section. Each item in that app is
hard coded to a specific aisle, so I couldn't change it.
* Text-based. I've seen some apps that are apparently designed for
people who can't read, because they have big pictures of the foods
that take up a lot of screen real estate.
* Photos and notes. Occasionally I want to add a note or photo to
make sure I buy a certain version of a product.
It's possible that the paid version of one of the free apps I've
tried would offer the usability I want, but the free versions have
not led me to believe that.
Any ideas?
Patty
Jolly Roger
Apr 25, 2016, 1:12:24 PM4/25/16
to
On 2016-04-25, Patty Winter <pat...@sonic.net> wrote:
> I've been using Grocery Gadget on my iPod touch for a few years,
> but it's no longer available on the App Store, so I can't put it
> on my "new" iPhone. I don't understand why it isn't available in
> the "Not on this iPhone" list, but it isn't.
>
> I've just tried out at least half a dozen grocery apps, and can't
> find one as convenient as GG. Here are the features I would like:
>
> [snip]
> I've been using Grocery Gadget on my iPod touch for a few years,
> but it's no longer available on the App Store, so I can't put it
> on my "new" iPhone. I don't understand why it isn't available in
> the "Not on this iPhone" list, but it isn't.
>
> I've just tried out at least half a dozen grocery apps, and can't
> find one as convenient as GG. Here are the features I would like:
>
>
> Any ideas?
I'm not familiar with GroceryGadget.
My wife and I have been using GroceryIQ for several years. It's not
perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but does all of the above,
except instead of notes you get a "description" field that you can use,
and there is no photo ability of which I am aware.
Our major complaint with the iOS app is that at some point over a year
ago, the app started exhibiting a behavior where when it is first
launched, the app hangs and is unresponsive for a few seconds (I suspect
while it does some sort of network update), which can be inconvenient
when you are at the store and just want to check off an item on the
shopping list quickly. I usually open the app as I walk into the store
to work around that.
With that said, it's a decent shopping list app. As you type the name of
a new item on a list, matches show up in real time below the field.
Potential matches always include generic matches (you type "Bro" and
matches start with "Brown Rice", "Broccoli", and so on) followed by more
specific things like "Biscotti Brothers Chicken Rub" and so on. All of
the matches are pulled over the network from Grocery IQ's database, I
believe. The app offers some coupons for some items, it appears (we
haven't used any). You can add a list of individual stores you frequent,
each with their own list. You can configure the aisles for each
individual store in your list as well. Items you add have a name,
description, assigned list, assigned aisle, quantity (or weight) and
desired price. It has some loyalty card support, though we haven't
bothered to use that feature.
You can also access your lists on a desktop computer by visiting
http://groceryiq.com in a web browser, which is handy when we are at
home.
Quite some time ago I recall my wife complaining hat a rewrite they did
to the iOS app reduced functionality and made some things harder to do
than before. I don't recall the specifics. Overall, though, it's a
decent app and gets the job done.
--
E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my ravenous SPAM filter.
I often ignore posts from Google. Use a real news client instead.
JR
Patty Winter
Apr 25, 2016, 4:20:02 PM4/25/16
to
In article <do71fm...@mid.individual.net>,
I did some more googling and discovered it actually still exists.
Their website hasn't been updated for three years, but I found a
support website where people were reacting to an update that was
released a few weeks ago. Seems they wiped out people's existing
subscriptions and are now asking for more money for the ad-free
version. :-( I have a free version from years ago that never had
ads, but I understand why people who paid to get rid of ads are
now angry to have them back. Anyway, it isn't on the App Store,
and for some reason even my old version isn't available in the
cloud for me to try on this newer version of iOS, so I have to
move on.
>My wife and I have been using GroceryIQ for several years. It's not
>perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but does all of the above,
>except instead of notes you get a "description" field that you can use,
>and there is no photo ability of which I am aware.
put "Gingerbread" in the main field. However...I just discovered that
I can add items, so I made a new listing for generic "Gingerbread
Mix" and am now figuring out how to get Ms. Crocker to go away. ;-)
(I've banished her to the bottom of the screen but would like her
to disappear entirely. I'll go read the developer's website.)
>Our major complaint with the iOS app is that at some point over a year
>ago, the app started exhibiting a behavior where when it is first
>launched, the app hangs and is unresponsive for a few seconds (I suspect
>while it does some sort of network update), which can be inconvenient
>when you are at the store and just want to check off an item on the
>shopping list quickly. I usually open the app as I walk into the store
>to work around that.
> The app offers some coupons for some items, it appears (we
>haven't used any).
the screen would be taken half up with promos for their coupons,
but so far it hasn't been.
>You can add a list of individual stores you frequent,
>each with their own list. You can configure the aisles for each
>individual store in your list as well.
certain items in different aisles, so flexibility with that would
be much appreciated.
>You can also access your lists on a desktop computer by visiting
>http://groceryiq.com in a web browser, which is handy when we are at
>home.
>Quite some time ago I recall my wife complaining hat a rewrite they did
>to the iOS app reduced functionality and made some things harder to do
>than before. I don't recall the specifics. Overall, though, it's a
>decent app and gets the job done.
Patty
Jolly Roger
Apr 25, 2016, 5:49:44 PM4/25/16
to
Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote:
>
> In article <do71fm...@mid.individual.net>,
> Jolly Roger <jolly...@pobox.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm not familiar with GroceryGadget.
>
> I did some more googling and discovered it actually still exists.
> Their website hasn't been updated for three years, but I found a
> support website where people were reacting to an update that was
> released a few weeks ago. Seems they wiped out people's existing
> subscriptions and are now asking for more money for the ad-free
> version. :-( I have a free version from years ago that never had
> ads, but I understand why people who paid to get rid of ads are
> now angry to have them back. Anyway, it isn't on the App Store,
> and for some reason even my old version isn't available in the
> cloud for me to try on this newer version of iOS, so I have to
> move on.
If the developer of the app lets their Apple Developer membership expire,
>
> In article <do71fm...@mid.individual.net>,
> Jolly Roger <jolly...@pobox.com> wrote:
>>
>> I'm not familiar with GroceryGadget.
>
> I did some more googling and discovered it actually still exists.
> Their website hasn't been updated for three years, but I found a
> support website where people were reacting to an update that was
> released a few weeks ago. Seems they wiped out people's existing
> subscriptions and are now asking for more money for the ad-free
> version. :-( I have a free version from years ago that never had
> ads, but I understand why people who paid to get rid of ads are
> now angry to have them back. Anyway, it isn't on the App Store,
> and for some reason even my old version isn't available in the
> cloud for me to try on this newer version of iOS, so I have to
> move on.
their certificate expires and their apps are automatically omitted from the
store. This is not a good sign of the future prospects for that app.
>> My wife and I have been using GroceryIQ for several years. It's not
>> perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but does all of the above,
>> except instead of notes you get a "description" field that you can use,
>> and there is no photo ability of which I am aware.
>
> That's the one that wouldn't let me edit the product name so I could
> put "Gingerbread" in the main field.
Add button (rather than picking one of the matching items below the field),
"Gingerbread mix" is what gets added to the list.
After adding the item to the list, if I view the item in the list and tap
the > button next to it, then tap the > next to the name, I can edit the
name to be whatever I want.
> However...I just discovered that
> I can add items, so I made a new listing for generic "Gingerbread
> Mix" and am now figuring out how to get Ms. Crocker to go away. ;-)
>
> (I've banished her to the bottom of the screen but would like her
> to disappear entirely. I'll go read the developer's website.)
Swipe an item to the left in List view to delete it from a list.
>> The app offers some coupons for some items, it appears (we
>> haven't used any).
>
> The app is in fact a product of Coupons.com, so I was afraid that
> the screen would be taken half up with promos for their coupons,
> but so far it hasn't been.
always owned by them. It may also explain the irritating initial delay
issue that appeared around that time.
>> You can add a list of individual stores you frequent,
>> each with their own list. You can configure the aisles for each
>> individual store in your list as well.
>
> "Configure" as in rename? Reorder? Both?
want to change, then tap Change Aisles. From that view you can edit aisle
names and drag to reorder them. Repeat for each store.
> Different stores will put
> certain items in different aisles, so flexibility with that would
> be much appreciated.
>> You can also access your lists on a desktop computer by visiting
>> http://groceryiq.com in a web browser, which is handy when we are at
>> home.
>
> If you make a change there, does it update your mobile list?
updated between iOS devices. When we go shopping I see what items my wife
checks off in (almost) real time (vice versa), which is pretty handy. You
can set that up by tapping More (...) > Sync on the bottom toolbar, IIRC.
> Thanks, I'll give it a second chance.
Patty Winter
Apr 25, 2016, 8:10:02 PM4/25/16
to
In article <do7hnm...@mid.individual.net>,
Jolly Roger <jolly...@pobox.com> wrote:
>Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote:
>>
>> That's the one that wouldn't let me edit the product name so I could
>> put "Gingerbread" in the main field.
>
>Hmm... If I type "Gingerbread mix" into the Add Items field then tap the
>Add button (rather than picking one of the matching items below the field),
>"Gingerbread mix" is what gets added to the list.
Yeah, I spotted that capability a while ago. At first I thought you
>>
>> That's the one that wouldn't let me edit the product name so I could
>> put "Gingerbread" in the main field.
>
>Hmm... If I type "Gingerbread mix" into the Add Items field then tap the
>Add button (rather than picking one of the matching items below the field),
>"Gingerbread mix" is what gets added to the list.
could only add items that were in the search results.
>After adding the item to the list, if I view the item in the list and tap
>the > button next to it, then tap the > next to the name, I can edit the
>name to be whatever I want.
in the search box and save that as an item.
>Swipe an item to the left in List view to delete it from a list.
>> "Configure" as in rename? Reorder? Both?
>
>Both. Go to the very top of the List view, tap Edit, then tap the store you
>want to change, then tap Change Aisles. From that view you can edit aisle
>names and drag to reorder them. Repeat for each store.
>> If you make a change there, does it update your mobile list?
>
>Assuming you enabled synchronization, sure. It asks keeps everything
>updated between iOS devices. When we go shopping I see what items my wife
>checks off in (almost) real time (vice versa), which is pretty handy. You
>can set that up by tapping More (...) > Sync on the bottom toolbar, IIRC.
than I thought at first. Much more customizable.
Patty
Jolly Roger
Apr 25, 2016, 9:05:24 PM4/25/16
to
On 2016-04-26, Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote:
> In article <do7hnm...@mid.individual.net>,
> Jolly Roger <jolly...@pobox.com> wrote:
>>Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> That's the one that wouldn't let me edit the product name so I could
>>> put "Gingerbread" in the main field.
>>
>>Hmm... If I type "Gingerbread mix" into the Add Items field then tap the
>>Add button (rather than picking one of the matching items below the field),
>>"Gingerbread mix" is what gets added to the list.
>
> Yeah, I spotted that capability a while ago. At first I thought you
> could only add items that were in the search results.
The interface definitely isn't as intuitive as it could be!
> In article <do7hnm...@mid.individual.net>,
> Jolly Roger <jolly...@pobox.com> wrote:
>>Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> That's the one that wouldn't let me edit the product name so I could
>>> put "Gingerbread" in the main field.
>>
>>Hmm... If I type "Gingerbread mix" into the Add Items field then tap the
>>Add button (rather than picking one of the matching items below the field),
>>"Gingerbread mix" is what gets added to the list.
>
> Yeah, I spotted that capability a while ago. At first I thought you
> could only add items that were in the search results.
>>> "Configure" as in rename? Reorder? Both?
>>
>>Both. Go to the very top of the List view, tap Edit, then tap the store you
>>want to change, then tap Change Aisles. From that view you can edit aisle
>>names and drag to reorder them. Repeat for each store.
>
> Cool!
>
>>> If you make a change there, does it update your mobile list?
>>
>>Assuming you enabled synchronization, sure. It asks keeps everything
>>updated between iOS devices. When we go shopping I see what items my wife
>>checks off in (almost) real time (vice versa), which is pretty handy. You
>>can set that up by tapping More (...) > Sync on the bottom toolbar, IIRC.
>
> Okay, I'll give the website a try. This looks a lot more promising
> than I thought at first. Much more customizable.
they'd fix. The app is updated periodically - so there's hope...
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