In his wireless blog, InformationWeek's Eric Zeman highlights a free software download that now allows BlackBerry users to locate millions of products at over 150,000 retails stores across the United States. Apparently, the software has been available for iPhone users.

The software program is produced by Slifter (http://www.slifter.com/pc/) and in Zeman's words: "does more than just let you know where to buy stuff. ....You can search local store inventory for products, hot deals, and promos (including 40 million circular offers); see product information, images, and maps; save products and promotions into a mobile Shopping List; and share finds with friends."

Check out Zeman's coverage at: http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/07/blackberries_us.html;jsessionid=BY1DNU0JO0Y1CQSNDLOSKH0CJUNN2JVN

These sorts of shopping applications seem to be getting a lot of attention lately. They could be of considerable help to people with disabilities simply by saving time, effort and ultimately money. And, now that the new iPhone offers GPS functionality, it's likely that many handsets will come with GPS as well. Only about 23 percent of respondents to our Survey of User Needs identified GPS capabilities as one of the 5 most important features they want in their mobile devices. This could change as the technology becomes more common, and as practical tools like shopping programs continue to be made available.