Add HSN to the list of companies jumping on the Apple iPhone bandwagon.
Over the weekend, the St. Petersburg retailer's app on the iPhone went live after many months in software development and many weeks in review by Apple programmers.
The app is free and lets iPhone owners shop and purchase directly through their phones, which is similar in many ways to shopping the company's Web site, HSN.com.
Beyond that, HSN took advantage of the iPhone's quirky gadgets for apps. Now iPhone owners can sort through items by designer, clearance promotions, most popular and those with free shipping.
A "shake2shop" game lets iPhone owners shake their phones to trigger a slot-machine style game where HSN presents random product recommendations plus deals and coupons.
The app can also show live video of what's playing on HSN, if the phone is within range of a good Wi-Fi signal.
The iPhone app is the latest in a string of interactive HSN channels.
HSN has a flourishing Web site where upwards of one-third of sales are processed, and HSN has on-screen "widgets" on some TV systems that spawn a type of Web page on the screen so users can buy products with remote controls.
The iPhones were the next step, said Brian Bradley, executive vice president, HSN.com. "We want to be anywhere and everywhere our customer is and let her touch the brand and interact with HSN," Bradley said.
The company hopes soon to upgrade the live video so it works on cellular systems, and other features will be added over time, he said.
Other smart phones are on the company's target list, he said.
Archrival QVC has a similar app for the iPhone, but it costs $2.99 and shows only items broadcast on the QVC channel in the United Kingdom.
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