Book search

[Kumabjorn]

Kindle owner who just a few weeks ago got an HTC Desire on which I installed Kindle app.

I discovered that there were a lot of apps that used bar code scanning to aid shoppers. Wouldn't it be possible to develop an app that you scanned a books EAN code and then it would go online and check if the book was available in an E-book version?

[kennyc]

The barcode scanner I have does book search, not specifically for ebooks though.

[Kumabjorn]

Might I inquire as to the app's name?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Might I inquire as to the app's name?

let me try to find it...just called "Barcode Scanner" in the marketplace version 3.5 it says
From ZXing - http://code.google.com/p/zxing/

http://code.google.com/p/zxing/downl...1.apk&can=2&q=


If you scan a book barcode it will search and link via browser..

[Kumabjorn]

I was afraid that it would be Barcode Scanner by zxing, it has a reputation for sending out all of your phones information to the developer. At the same time it has become something of a standard for bar code scanning.

[kennyc]

If you already knew, then why did you ask?

Any android app can potentially do that. It's why the security is set up as it is to tell you what services it uses.

[Man Eating Duck]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

I was afraid that it would be Barcode Scanner by zxing, it has a reputation for sending out all of your phones information to the developer.

That's strange to the point of being unbelievable. It's open source, and a project distributed this much is subject to scrutiny from a lot of eyeballs. I'd be surprised if it got away with doing something *that* underhanded. It could be that the people that package the binaries add rogue code, but ZXing seems legit: http://code.google.com/p/zxing/wiki/...AskedQuestions

I'm all for being paranoid with one's info, but can you point me to anything more substantial on this?

[Kumabjorn]

I read it on a Swedish Android forum called www.swedroid.se but I agree, if that is true then that infor would appear on other sites as well. Unless I'm misinformed, or just don't understand it properly (the latter is a likely candidate), that app has some hooks that allow other apps to access it. There are some specific scanning applications, especially shopping apps, that requires the installation of Barcode Scanner by zxing. Perhaps it is some of those that contain rouge code? Does Android Market check apps before thay are released?

PS. I have checked your link and the AppAnalysis.org site. I can now see how the OP on Swedroid has misinterpreted the info given. As you can see from my avatar I'm a trigger happy bitch

[Man Eating Duck]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

Unless I'm misinformed, or just don't understand it properly (the latter is a likely candidate), that app has some hooks that allow other apps to access it. There are some specific scanning applications, especially shopping apps, that requires the installation of Barcode Scanner by zxing. Perhaps it is some of those that contain rouge code?

From the same site: http://code.google.com/p/zxing/wiki/ScanningViaIntent

I had a look at the sources, and it seems that they have an interface that enables other apps to use it to get the information from a scanned barcode. What these other apps do with that information is out of ZXings' control, but ZXing doesn't offer up any of your personal info.

I'm not a Jaca coder, but I'm pretty sure that people who are have had a look as well.

BTW, I didn't mean to bash you in any way in my previous post, it's very healthy to be sceptical when it comes to privacy

[Kumabjorn]

No worries, I didn't feel bashed. Android being Open Source does require users to be more vigilant. There are no free lunches, so when apps are offered for free I am always careful. Sometimes it is coders who do it for the fun and appreciation, and when that is the case it is important to show them our appreciation.

[BASEBALL BILL]

Still confused? LOL