Wednesday June 25, 2008, 2:34 am
This is, I think, a youngish, cosmopolitan, upscale city-dweller's device. I can't see myself or people like me - tech-savvy but not fanatic about it - using the iKan to do grocery shopping. Besides, I actually enjoy going to the store, seeing the fresh food, reading labels on products I might want to try, and allowing myself the occasional impulse purchase.

Having said this, for the homebound who are together enough and wired-up enough to use the iKan, it could be a goddess-send. Those who can't drive and don't get out much might benefit from owning one.

There's a big IF in all this, though. You have got to have a store that WILL deliver the goods, and even in some major cities, this might pose a problem. For instance, there is not one grocery store in Omaha that delivers groceries to homebound seniors. I know this because we researched this for my father-in-law and his wife, neither of whom can drive anymore.

Share your opinion - goofy gadget or terrific time saver?

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 3:20 am
This is a fantastic idea. I think I'd use it quite often. But I'd still have to make that pilgrimage to the grocery store every now and then. I'm too much of a foody. Have to look around, have to touch! - LOL

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 3:35 am
Hmmm....I don't know. I love technology, but the human touch is missing. Every Friday, my mum and I, and sometimes my daughter go shopping together. We go to 4 or 5 stores to get all the best deals. We stop for lunch and a gab session too. Besides, I love to squeeze, smell, and sometimes taste the produce...guess I would miss all that stuff! Thanx Cate

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 4:14 am
pretty neat! thx, CG!!

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 5:11 am
I think I Can get use to iKan.LOL
It's the wave of the future. Older people, people with disabilities, Mothers with young children and working people could all benefit from iKan. Think about it , who would have thought 20 years ago we would have a computer in almost every home. Phones that you walk around with that can take pictures. Machines in your cars that talk to you and give you direction.
All I need now is Rosie the Robot. LOL

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 5:22 am
Sorry it's too convienient for me. Everything is being done from the home, you'll never get out of house!...LOL...Besides, like Ramona & Cate said I love to go shopping for food, and see what I am buying & meet people too! This is just too high tech for my taste..
This is my opinion only.
TY sweet Cate for this interesting article my friend, noted.
FreeSpiritRunning...

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 5:25 am
Although Cate, you do have a point in that the people & elderly that cannot leave their homes, this gadget would be a blessing for them. So, I see why we have options. I will still be going to the store.
Geez, I remember when milk & diaper services used to be delivered to our homes, oops...giving away my age here...lol.
FreeSpiritRunning...

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 5:32 am
Cate you make some great points. I personally will shop for myself. I like going to the store, meeting people and looking at what I am getting for my money...LOL there.I know..noted.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:08 am
cate, great article... i think there are those, as with all new gadgets that fuel their insecurities and need to have "stuff", will have to have it... not to mention the laziness of the majority of society these days... however, as you and others have mentioned until i am unable to do my own shopping i want to do it... smell, taste, talk to people and be apart of society... and i, especially didn't like the part about all the seeming waste of bags etc...:(

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:12 am
hehehe... i just realized it sounds as though i want to smell and taste the people... it's actually the food i want to smell and taste and only talk to the people, really i am not a cannibal..:)

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:39 am
Noted. Certainly an innovative technology application which made for informative and interesting read. Thank you, Cate!

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 6:55 am
Hmm...sounds good but I am like Cate -- grocery shopping is part of my social life.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 7:28 am
Prefer the simplified pencil & paper list on the refrigerator. If I
need something delivered all I have to do is pick up the telephone
and our local store will deliver. No extra expensive gadgets to have
to remember to play with. In our small town grocery shopping is how
we see each other and catch up on all the news. Wouldn't want to miss
seeing all of our neighbors and our quick chats. No substitute for the
joy in picking out your own fruits and vegetables and visiting with
others while you are doing that. We need to be careful with all of the
technology connections that we don't lose our human connections.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:11 am
If you can't from home on your computer it isn't worth it. Lazy, lazy people will use this gadget. Besides that I don't want my personal information on any stores computer system to come back and haunt me with their useless ads. I get enough of them in my mail box.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:13 am
As much as I loathe going to the store--any store, I still prefer to use my brain (pen and paper list or just keep the list in my head) and what's left of my body to get out of the house. Like Cate, I prefer to see, smell, touch, taste and bargain for the goods I purchase. Once my legs finally go though I can still use this computer to order anything and everything I need (which I do a lot of now) or pay a trusted neighbor to go shopping for me.

Technology is good in most respects but haven't people noticed lately the more technology we possess the more isolated we become? Trust me, home-bound isolation isn't fun. Self-imposed isolation by means of 'just gotta hav it-new toy' mentality is exactly what our wonderful (smirk) government wants--slaves too busy (distracted) and too caught up in self-absortion to notice that they have no community, no compassion, no empathy and no more freedom.

For those that are home-bound and do not have a computer, or the elderly, this device may have a lot of benefis. But honestly, how many 80 year olds would you see actually using something like this? They still would rely on family, friends or paid home-health care workers to go out for them. Just my opinion.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:27 am
I too would much rather shop myself. I enjoy it. But this would be great for those who hate doing it. I would use this when I became too old to do it myself. Thanks Cate.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:42 am
while this new hiTech gadget may be great for some...i still prefer the method of writing things down, and going grocery shopping myself. (also to get the discounts and use the coupons that i have). i enjoy the social time too, as i usually see people i know doing the same thing...shopping. thankx Cate for an interesting post.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 12:12 pm
Formpeople who are disabled, elderly, housebound,
I've got to agree with you, Cate, this would be
a genuine blessing from the Goddess.
Other than that, this thing is so Yuppie I could
spit up.
Like many others above me, I LOVE to grocery shop!
Being a retired chef, I go into a grocery store like
some guys go into Home Depot or Lowe's: I walk thru
the door, and inspiration washes over me! I've been
known to spend 90 minues in a really good grocery store
just wandering the aisles as my muse inspires me!
Shopping by computer?
Naaah, none for me, thanks.

Great post, Cate! Thank you! :-))
noted.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 12:15 pm
I thought I would add a share about plastic bags. I never use those or paper bags {i love trees to much} instead I choose to buy four cloth bags, they sell right at the bigger grocery chains for only .99 cents. I only have four, but they fit over 100.00 worth of groceries!
So, that's a great option as opposed to plastic, which takes forever to disolve on our planet.

Just a share, hope it helped.

It's nice to see people still wanting to get out and do it on their own, Bravo, because we can. Some people cannot leave their homes, which is why this might be good for them.

Many blessings to all
FreeSpiritRunng

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 12:35 pm
I'll stick to picking up my own needed items!

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 1:28 pm
I hate shopping, but I do like the interaction with all the other shoppers & employees at the stores!

Thanks Cate!!

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 1:54 pm
I think they are on to something whose importance, and sucess will be determined slowly as it begains to be relied on more and more.
It wasnt that long ago my reluctance to purchace a home PC was considered rational thinking.
Or my ideals on cell phones were quite negative and I couldnt figure out why any one needed one.
Now I have to honestly admit I have been taken over, and feel quite comfortable and content with high tech progress.
How would I have ever been able to go through life with out meeting such wonderful people as Cate, for instance and commenting on her articales.
Its a rare occasion for me now to forget the ole cell at home. Ive even returned from my parking space, ran up a flight of stairs just to retrieve the little guy a number of times.
So it is, some of my experiences with tech savy. Theres no way I am gonna rule out the possibilities of iKan and later join the ranks of progress. I may even leave an open space on my counter.
In my dreams at the moment are of the robotic vaccum that continuously travels the rooms in your house and seriously grooms your carpets all the while 24-7. Its thrilled to do its job and even pit stops to recharge its self when needed.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 2:49 pm
I like to shop, so I guess it isn't for me. It would be useful for people who couldn't get out, it would be wonderful for my Mom. Quite a concept.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 4:00 pm
Yeah Yeah...heard it all before. But what happens in practice is this if you read the small print. the machine reserves the right to substitute any item to replace items they are sold out of. So instead of all the hoped for ingredients for the perfect supper party you actually get forty cans of baked beans in tomato sause, a touch sensitive light fitting, a selection of children's books and party games vouchers, three wilting houseplants and sundry other rubbish no good to man ner beast...hence it all being downloaded of some poor birk...there's one born evry minute. And you have the bank manager and wife coming in an hour's time. Hey ho.

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:02 pm
We have several individuals in this area who have set up their own small business of doing errands for those unable to drive/disabled/ill...this includes rides to doctor or picking up prescriptions etc...This is definitely not for me I'd prefer to do for myself while I can..I hate shopping but purchasing food is part of the overall ritual of preparing a meal and I prefer to pick my own ingredients...

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 8:41 pm
i want to go to the store i have to read all the labels for i am a diabetic

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 9:21 pm
This could be a good idea.

A $25 USB port device would be able to do the same job now? Better yet, the food chains could provide the device free to consumers since they have the capacity to nickel and dime you and blame it on 'their costs.'

This would isolate people who help fill their day by physically shopping for items and all that might infer.

There are a great number of implications to this type of electronic shopping limited only by the user, the computer technology, software, surveillance (and all that implies), and recycling just to name a few.

It appears several others prefer to shop for themselves and I tend to agree with them.

Nevertheless, the concept on its basic merits has positive potential.

Thursday June 26, 2008, 1:33 pm
I love technology, but I'm with Cate on this one. There's really no alternative between physically going to the store yourself. Plus I inspect packages and feel fruit and vegetables and visually inspected them for freshness. I'm picky.

That and the fact that I mostly buy organic; I don't usually shop at a regular grocer. I go to farmers markets and buy stuff used and spend a lot of time at Wild Oats/Whole Foods

Friday June 27, 2008, 1:41 am
I dont do much grocery shopping. Doc does that. The store is in the area where he works so it saves gas by doing the shopping on the way home from work. I like to go to the Farmers' market for locally grown produce and Wild Oats in the winter for organically grown produce. I eat mostly vegetables anyway and for some reason, if I shop, I don't eat. I know that is odd but large amounts of anything other than fruits and vegetables are a real turn off and I lose my appetite. I think this device would be helpful to shut ins if you find a grocery store that delivers.

Sunday June 29, 2008, 5:37 pm
If gas prices continue to rise, I guess we'll have to pay more for this convenience too.