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HSN debuts its own shopping app for Apple's iPhone

HSN

HSN's new iPhone app is free and lets iPhone owners shop and purchase directly through their phones in similar ways to shopping the company's Web site, HSN.com.

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By RICHARD MULLINS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2009

TAMPA - 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 in similar ways to shopping the company's Web site, HSN.com.

Beyond that, HSN took advantage of the iPhone's quirky gadgets for apps. 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 phone 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. Already, the company has a flourishing Web site where upwards of a third of total HSN sales are processed. And HSN has on-screen TV "widgets" on some TV systems that spawn a type of Web page on the TV screen so customers can buy products with their remote controls.

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. Hopefully soon, the company can upgrade the live video so it works on cellular systems, and other features will be added over time as well, he said. Other smart phones are on the company's target list, he said.

Arch rival QVC has a similar app for the iPhone, but presently it costs $2.99 and shows only items that broadcast on the QVC channel in the United Kingdom.

Reporter Richard Mullins can be reached at (813) 259-7919.

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