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Barcode Scanner in iPhone app
The latest version of the iPhone app (1.1.5) features a barcode scanner! We added this feature for two reasons: to scan your books and easily add them to your Goodreads account, and to quickly pop up information about a book, if for example you are in a bookstore trying to decide which book to buy.
The scanner is available in the iPhone app under My Books. After each scan you will see the book title and cover appear at the top of the screen: if you tap on that, you can quickly see reviews about the book you just scanned. Regardless, all your scans will be saved in a list that you can browse once you close the scanner. From there, you can add them to your shelves or simply read the reviews whenever you want.
There's one known issue though: the scanner will close on its own if you leave it open for too long. This is necessary to work around a problem in the actual barcode scanning software, which is not under our control. Your scanned books won't be lost. A workaround to this issue is to force-close some of your other apps running in the background.
We hope the barcode scanner will make it even easier to add your books on Goodreads and improve your experience at your favorite bookstore!
UPDATE: I added some topics in the help section for the most common problems related to the barcode scanner (and the iPhone app in general). Please refer to those first for a possible answer to your questions.
UPDATE 2: version 1.2.1 adds the widely requested "mass-add" feature: add all your scans to the read or to-read shelves, as well as the ability to just clear your scan list.
The scanner is available in the iPhone app under My Books. After each scan you will see the book title and cover appear at the top of the screen: if you tap on that, you can quickly see reviews about the book you just scanned. Regardless, all your scans will be saved in a list that you can browse once you close the scanner. From there, you can add them to your shelves or simply read the reviews whenever you want.
There's one known issue though: the scanner will close on its own if you leave it open for too long. This is necessary to work around a problem in the actual barcode scanning software, which is not under our control. Your scanned books won't be lost. A workaround to this issue is to force-close some of your other apps running in the background.
We hope the barcode scanner will make it even easier to add your books on Goodreads and improve your experience at your favorite bookstore!
UPDATE: I added some topics in the help section for the most common problems related to the barcode scanner (and the iPhone app in general). Please refer to those first for a possible answer to your questions.
UPDATE 2: version 1.2.1 adds the widely requested "mass-add" feature: add all your scans to the read or to-read shelves, as well as the ability to just clear your scan list.
Comments Showing 301-348 of 348 (348 new)
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Donna
(last edited Jun 01, 2018 11:44PM)
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Feb 10, 2011 08:41AM
Drat. I only have a regular laptop or PDA when I go to the library or bookstore. Please don't forget we regular 0-G users. I do have a scanner for the laptop, though. And both the library and bookstore offer wifi. An iPhone and all it's associated costs don't make a bit of sense to someone like me who works from home. I'd like some convenience too!
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Alan wrote: "Linda wrote: "I downloaded it to both iPhone and iPad, but it doesn't want to work for me. What am I missing?"It wouldn't work with the (current) iPad because it uses the camera to scan the barcode."
And the iPhone? Does it have to be a 4?
Linda wrote: "Alan wrote: "Linda wrote: "I downloaded it to both iPhone and iPad, but it doesn't want to work for me. What am I missing?"It wouldn't work with the (current) iPad because it uses the camera to s..."
Sorry Linda. I don't know. We'll have to wave a flag at the Goodreads people till they answer you question.
Guys, I updated a couple days ago the blog post with a link to our new help section dedicated to the iPhone. Hopefully this will answer most of the questions (OS compatibility, workarounds, etc.) Check it out! I hope that helps. =)
Ettore wrote: "Guys, I updated a couple days ago the blog post with a link to our new help section dedicated to the iPhone. Hopefully this will answer most of the questions (OS compatibility, workarounds, etc.) C..."More thanks Ettore. This answers a number of questions raised here.
I scanned a lot of books - no problem except for the shutting down occasionally - but none of them show in Scanned Books - what have I forgotten to do - help please!
Anne wrote: "I scanned a lot of books - no problem except for the shutting down occasionally - but none of them show in Scanned Books - what have I forgotten to do - help please!"Did you notice the app shutting down entirely, or just the scanner? In the first case, it's a crash (sorry): please send us your crash logs!
No crash - I clicked on Done then went out of Goodreads - then back in , no sign of the scanned books
Android, please?? I keep seeing people asking, but no one from Goodreads ever responds as to when there will be an Android version!!
Angie wrote: "Can this application be used with an iPad?"Not the current one, Angie. It requires a camera to scan the barcodes.
Nyssa wrote: "Ettore wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Can not find the option to scan?? I've updated/synced the app, and went into "My Books". My choices are to "View My Profile" or choose one of my bookshelves. Nothing ab..."it is only $0.99 FOR THE DROID
ONLY $0.99 FOR THE DROID... WILL WAIT FOR A FEW DAYS BUT DEFINITELY WORTH IT GIVEN THE HUBBY AND I HAVE THOUSANDS OF BOOKS
I'm getting the message that it only recognizes books that are in the Goodreads database. That may be why I'm having so much trouble? Last time I tried with the iPhone, the screen looked as if the camera was on, but it didn't scan.
Linda, I noticed some problems while scanning books over a 3G connection, occasionally locking up the screen like you described. I am addressing those issues in an upcoming new release.
After scanning books with iphone, how do I bring that list into my Goodreads library?
Peaqueen wrote: "After scanning books with iphone, how do I bring that list into my Goodreads library?"It's simple: go to your scanned books list, and tap on each book to add it to the shelf you prefer.
It's simple, yes. But repetetive and boring. Please consider adding a batch function. :)
I second the request for a batch shelving function. Why? It is counterintuitive to combine a time-saving input device like a scanner w/having to still manually process each scanned book one at a time thru keypad input, but the scan feature is still a time saver even in this version!
Natalie, kawayama: I totally agree. I have a ticket to add that feature in the near future =)
@Ettore, that's great news it will be time well spent and make the GR iphone app even better. Great to hear.
@Natalie (and all): batch shelving is implemented in the latest 1.2.1 release. Hope you guys like it!
@Ettore -I used batched shelving, it worked great, I DO like it! Many Thanks.Ettore wrote: "@Natalie (and all): batch shelving is implemented in the latest 1.2.1 release. Hope you guys like it!"
I still have no luck with it, but the new iPad comes with a camera. Will that work?
Linda wrote: "I still have no luck with it, but the new iPad comes with a camera. Will that work?"Hi LInda. You're gonna need the camera. It is the camera that "reads" the barcode...
Situations like Linda's create a time sink for users and eventually a poor experience w/the app that could avoided if minimum device requirements could be/were checked during install via itunes?Maybe during install there could be a check whether the version of the device meets the minimum requirements for all the app features and then "warn the installer/user" if they will be unable to use some of the features bcs those features are not supported by their version of the device?
Alan wrote: "Linda wrote: "I still have no luck with it, but the new iPad comes with a camera. Will that work?"
Hi LInda. You're gonna need the camera. It is the camera that "reads" the barcode..."
The new iPad contains a camera! But whether it will work or not . . .
@Natalie and Linda, I just added a note on the description in iTunes listing the barcode scanning requirements (iOS 4.0 and up plus the camera).
I want to scan my class library to keep an ongoing list of books I already have. Than print labels to make my library kid friendly. Any suggestions or other iPhone apps to use? Thanks,
OteachinK
Gaaah! I am over the moon. I have thousands of books to log. This is going to be a breeze. Thanks!
Where is this under the my books tab? I can't find it
Seth wrote: "Where is this under the my books tab? I can't find it"Hmm, if you can't find it must be one of these things:
- your device is still using iOS 3 or earlier;
- your device doesn't have a camera.
Also, if you haven't already, upgrade to the latest release of the Goodreads app: the scanner was pretty buggy when we first released it.
Ettore wrote: "Seth wrote: "Where is this under the my books tab? I can't find it"Hmm, if you can't find it must be one of these things:
- your device is still using iOS 3 or earlier;
- your device doesn't have..."
lol it turns out the reason i couldnt find it was cuz i was on my 3rd gen ipod touch (withiut the camera) when i went on my friends iphone i found it :)
You know the scanner? Yeah wel, it sucks. It doesnt work at all and all it says is to align view to the edges of a signle barcode -hold still. I've held my ipod for at least an hour and nothing! Trust me, whatever you do, dont trust the scanner cuz its all just a stupid scam! >.> Unless someone has evidence that it actually works then tell me but other than that, it doesnt work. -.-
Coco, I am sorry you are having those problems! Unfortunately I am not able to reproduce them, which makes it hard for me to fix them. Can you tell me if perhaps things improve if you scan under good light conditions, without any glare in the scanner?
Also, make sure you are scanning an ISBN code: sometimes books have multiple barcodes, but only one is an ISBN.
It would be helpful to know what iOS version you are running and which iPod Touch model you have. (You can see that from the Settings app >General > About > Model and Version.)
Lastly, make sure you are running the latest version of our iPhone app, currently 1.5.3. You probably already are, but I wanted to make sure.
Sorry again, and please let us know if any of these suggestions offer any help.
one of my family member has it and they have had it for 3 years and its in great shape!
The barcode is available on my iPad too! Planning to try it this afternoon.
Lynne wrote: "The barcode is available on my iPad too! Planning to try it this afternoon."If this works tell me too cuz I tried the barcode thing but nothin happened
I am unaware of any iPad issues, actually...1. did you guys update to the latest version of the app? (2.2)
2. what version of iOS are you running?
Yes i updated the latest version of goodreads and I have iOS 6 version in ipad.What about you ?
A book I did not scan ended up in my scanned list somehow.
Can I check my scanned books using Goodreads' website?
Aran. wrote: "Can I check my scanned books using Goodreads' website?"You should be able to. It should sync.
