E-Plus Germany offers new mobile visual search and mobile barcode services – beta2go

E-Plus has launched a new service called beta2go. It is a visual mobile search product allowing users to take pictures of products and get information on the products.

There is also a mobile scanner element that offers prices, tests and ecological information on the service.  The service is not exclusive and available online but free for E-Plus users.
The service is called beta2go and the barcode scanner is from Berlin start-up Barcoo. E-Plus is pitching the scanner as a way of finding out product information. You can scan the code and get the contents of the product from % of fat, salt or sugar.
What we think?
Wow. In the press release there is a completely detailed summary of exactly how to download the mobile barcode scanner – which leads me to believe that E-Plus is serious on this. Beta2go sounds like ShopSavvy and I saw a Twitter not from Mobile-zeitgeist that that Shop Savvy now boasted 1 million scans per day….
So, I can see why the interest is there.  I have been checking out Barcoo and it looks very interesting and it is backed by the EU. The idea is great and others are doing the same. I only worry that there are going to be some patent backlash issues in this area. I hate to say it as I know that there are patents in this area and I think that mobile search or visual search via mobile scanners is patented.