Geek Girl Report: Christmas Shopping? There’s An App For That

Let's face it, Christmas shopping is a huge hassle. Running around town like a madman,  juggling multiple clipped-out coupons while trying in vain to hunt down the best price on that Barbie doll or Hot Wheels set is sure to kill anyone's Christmas cheer. But as long as you have a smartphone, you can make things a lot easier on yourself with a few simple downloads. Here's a couple of free and useful apps you can use to make your Christmas shopping a little less stressful and a little more jolly.

Amazon Mobile

The mobile version of the Internet's largest superstore works just as well as its computer counterpart. You can search for and purchase items straight from your iPhone, and the app also syncs up with your Amazon.com account, so all your wish lists and shopping carts are right on your phone. But the coolest part about Amazon Mobile is the Amazon Remembers feature, which lets you search for items simply by taking a photo of it with your camera.

Red Laser

If you want to make sure you're getting the absolute best price, this is the app for you. Red Laser allows you to scan the barcode of any item, then shows you the best prices on that item both online and in local stores. It's the fastest way to compare prices and make sure you're getting the most for your holiday dollar.

Coupon Sherpa

If coupons are more your style, you might want to check out Coupon Sherpa. This handy app brings the coupons to you; just type in the name of the store and Coupon Sherpa will pull up all the coupons for that store. Then, all you have to do is have the cashier scan the coupon barcode on your phone, and you're good to go. It may not be "Extreme Couponing," but it's a great way to save a couple of bucks on your Christmas shopping.

Fast Mall

if you happen to be out of town and need to do your shopping in an unfamiliar mall, you'll need Fast Mall to help you out. Fast Mall provides maps of tons of different malls and a complete listing of the stores the mall has; no need to hunt down those "you are here" kiosks. The most useful feature of this app? Just shake your phone and it'll bring up the location of the nearest bathroom.